DeAndre Ayton Admits Effort Changes as He Tries to Revive His Role with the Los Angeles Lakers

The 2025–26 NBA season has been a roller coaster for controversial center DeAndre Ayton. After joining the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, the former No. 1 overall pick was expected to solve one of the team’s biggest weaknesses — the starting center position. Instead, inconsistent performances and questions about his effort turned Ayton into one of the most criticized players on the roster.

Now, the big man is finally acknowledging that his struggles were partially due to his own lack of focus and energy. Following a recent Lakers victory over the Chicago Bulls, Ayton admitted he has made changes in his approach to better fit into the team’s system.

His recent improvement has sparked new hope among Lakers fans that the talented center might finally live up to expectations.

DeAndre Ayton Says Increased Energy Has Changed His Game

After the Lakers’ latest win, Ayton spoke openly about the adjustments he has made over the past week. According to him, the biggest difference has been improving his energy level and mental focus on the court.

He explained that he now feels more aligned with the team’s intensity and urgency, which has translated into better performances during games.

Ayton emphasized that the Lakers are currently playing with a stronger competitive mindset. Instead of relying solely on talent, the team is focusing on effort plays — things like chasing loose balls, fighting for rebounds, and contesting shots.

The center highlighted that the Lakers have been attacking possessions more aggressively on both offense and defense. This shift in mentality has created a scrappier style of play, something that has helped the team close out possessions more effectively.

For Ayton, the change seems simple: matching the team’s urgency and giving consistent effort every time he steps on the floor.

Coaching Decisions Sent a Message

Earlier in the season, Lakers head coach JJ Redick made a strong statement by benching Ayton in favor of backup center Jaxson Hayes for several games.

The move surprised many fans, considering Ayton was brought in specifically to be the team’s starting center. However, it was clear the coaching staff wanted more intensity and defensive commitment from the former top pick.

Redick’s decision seemed to serve as a wake-up call.

Since returning from injury, Ayton has played some of his best basketball of the season. Over his last two games, he has averaged 18.5 points and 11 rebounds per game — numbers that reflect the impact the Lakers expected when they signed him.

For a team with championship aspirations, Ayton’s production in the paint is critical. Without a reliable interior presence, even a roster stacked with offensive talent can struggle in the playoffs.

Playing Alongside Elite Playmakers

One reason expectations are so high for Ayton in Los Angeles is the offensive talent surrounding him.

The Lakers roster features three highly skilled creators in LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. With players capable of generating scoring opportunities and drawing defensive attention, Ayton often receives easy looks near the rim.

For a center with Ayton’s size and athletic ability, the role should be relatively straightforward:

• Set solid screens

• Protect the rim

• Grab rebounds

• Finish easy scoring opportunities

When he executes those responsibilities consistently, Ayton becomes an extremely valuable piece in the Lakers’ lineup.

Recently, he has simplified his game, focusing on high-percentage plays instead of forcing offense. That approach has made him far more effective and efficient on both ends of the floor.

Lakers Fans Feel Vindicated

While Ayton’s recent improvement is encouraging, it has also reinforced a long-standing criticism that has followed him throughout his career — questions about his motor and consistency.

Many Lakers fans have argued all season that Ayton possesses the talent but lacks the urgency required to dominate games. His own admission that he needed to increase his energy level only strengthens that argument.

The frustrating part for critics is timing. Making these adjustments in mid-March is far from ideal for a team preparing for the postseason.

By this point in the season, players are usually refining their roles rather than fixing fundamental effort issues.

Still, fans are hopeful that the recent surge signals a permanent change rather than a temporary hot streak.

If Ayton maintains this level of intensity, he could dramatically raise the Lakers’ ceiling heading into the playoffs.

Ayton’s Career Reputation at Stake

The stakes for Ayton extend far beyond the remainder of this season.

Once considered a franchise cornerstone after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ayton entered the league with enormous expectations. He was drafted ahead of stars like Trae Young and even current Lakers teammate Luka Doncic.

However, his career path has not matched the hype.

His time with the Phoenix Suns and later the Portland Trail Blazers ended with mixed results. Despite flashes of dominance, Ayton struggled to establish himself as a consistent All-Star caliber center.

Those previous stops contributed to the perception that he never fully maximized his potential.

Joining the Lakers offered what many believed was the perfect opportunity for redemption.

Playing alongside experienced leaders like LeBron James and within a high-profile franchise could have helped Ayton redefine his career narrative.

But inconsistent performances earlier this season have once again placed his long-term future under scrutiny.

The Lakers Could Move On If Struggles Continue

The Lakers signed Ayton hoping he would provide stability at the center position for years to come. Instead, the team may eventually have to reconsider his role if his inconsistency returns.

If Ayton fails to maintain his recent form, the organization could explore several options:

• Moving him in a trade

• Allowing him to leave in free agency

• Replacing him with a more reliable role player

Modern NBA roster construction places a premium on players who fit systems efficiently. In today’s game, even less talented players can earn significant roles if they provide reliable three-point shooting, defense, and consistent effort.

That reality has caused several highly talented but inconsistent players to fall out of rotations or even out of the league entirely.

Ayton’s skill set still gives him a place in the NBA, but his reputation around the league has clearly taken a hit.

A Critical Stretch for the Lakers and Ayton

As the regular season approaches its final weeks, Ayton faces a crucial stretch that could shape both the Lakers’ playoff chances and his own career trajectory.

If he continues to play with the energy and focus he recently described, he could become the interior anchor the Lakers desperately need. His rebounding, rim protection, and efficient scoring could make a huge difference in high-stakes playoff games.

However, if his intensity drops again, the criticism surrounding him will only grow louder.

For now, the Lakers are hopeful that Ayton’s renewed commitment is genuine and sustainable.

With stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić leading the offense, the formula for success is clear: all Ayton needs to do is bring consistent effort, dominate the glass, and finish plays around the rim.

If he can do that, the Lakers might finally have the center they’ve been searching for — and Ayton might finally begin repairing his reputation across the NBA.