Lakers' Biggest Concern: Deandre Ayton's Inconsistency in Big Moments

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have been riding high in the early part of the 2025–26 season. With a solid start that has placed them near the top of the Western Conference, many have pointed to the team’s ball movement and depth as keys to their success. Yet, as the season progresses, Deandre Ayton’s role has increasingly become a cause for concern — and it's not about his stats.

😟 The Fear of Ayton’s Familiar Disappearing Act

Ayton, the Lakers’ starting center, has been solid in many areas. He’s been effective at setting screens, finishing lobs, and providing some interior scoring. However, Lakers fans are starting to wonder if history is repeating itself. Ayton has a well-documented history of disappearing during key moments, particularly in close games and high-pressure situations.

For the Lakers, the anxiety isn’t just about Ayton’s current performance — it’s the fear that his late-game inconsistency will cost them when the stakes are highest. The more the Lakers have relied on him this season, the more this lingering concern has come to the forefront.

🎯 Offensive Strategy and Ayton’s Role

One of the reasons this concern has emerged is the Lakers' offensive approach. So far, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have carried much of the offensive load, with a heavy emphasis on ball movement and off-ball action. This has worked well in the regular season, but the deeper the Lakers go into the season, the more likely they are to face teams that will exploit Ayton’s weaknesses when games get tight.

As defenses ramp up in intensity and begin switching everything, Ayton’s ability to provide an offensive presence in clutch moments has been questioned. While his scoring has been solid, the concern is that his impact in crunch time is not as consistent as the Lakers need it to be. Opposing teams can adjust by taking away perimeter options and forcing Ayton to handle situations he’s not always equipped for — post-ups, creating his own shot, or defending in isolation.

🦶 Athleticism and Defensive Limitations

Adding to the problem is the Lakers’ lack of elite athleticism on the wing. This puts extra pressure on Ayton, who struggles to defend guards or smaller forwards when forced to switch on pick-and-rolls or on the perimeter. In today’s NBA, quick lateral movement and versatility are crucial for a center, and Ayton’s history of defensive lapses only adds to the worry.

The Lakers have been able to get by on team defense and a deep bench this season. But as good as the Lakers have been collectively, this strategy has its limits. When the team faces off against opponents in the playoffs — teams with greater speed, athleticism, and offensive diversity — Ayton’s weaknesses could be exposed.

🔑 The Lakers Need More from Ayton

For the Lakers to contend for a title, they will need more from Ayton than just efficient play on the boards and the occasional lob finish. They need him to be a constant offensive threat late in games, someone who can create his own shot when possessions break down, and someone who can defend multiple positions without hesitation.

Thus far, Ayton’s defensive struggles and inconsistent presence in crunch-time situations have left fans questioning whether he can truly deliver when the Lakers need him most. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic looking to make another deep playoff run, the Lakers simply can't afford to have Ayton fade into the background when the game is on the line.

🚨 The Road Ahead

The good news? Ayton has shown flashes of improvement this season. But the Lakers need him to be more than just a dependable role player. To make a real championship run, they need him to be someone the opposing team fears, someone who commands attention in critical moments, and someone who can be relied upon to step up when it matters most.

If the Lakers can find ways to mask Ayton’s limitations — whether through smart rotations or additional help from teammates — this season could still be very promising. But if Ayton’s inability to rise to the occasion continues, the fears that have been quietly hovering over his tenure in Los Angeles may start to feel all too real.