deandre ayton has become the clearest pressure point in a Lakers season defined by star power, overlapping responsibilities, and constant questions about how — or whether — the pieces can coexist. With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves sharing the floor, the team’s offensive rhythm has drawn criticism, and Deandre Ayton’s dissatisfaction with his role has moved from background noise to a defining storyline.
What Happens When Deandre Ayton shares the floor with the Lakers’ three primary creators?
Former NBA guard Raymond Felton framed the issue in blunt terms: as long as Deandre Ayton plays alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves, he “is never going to see the basketball. ” Felton’s argument centers on a basic reality of roster construction: multiple ball-dominant creators naturally compress the number of possessions that flow through a center, especially one accustomed to having plays run for him.
Felton said he anticipated this tension months earlier and pointed to Ayton’s history and expectations. Deandre Ayton, a former first-overall pick, is described as being used to possessions running through him. The season-to-season shift is visible in the shot attempts: Deandre Ayton averaged 12. 4 attempts per game over his first seven seasons, but is at 8. 7 attempts per game this season. In Felton’s view, the fit problem is less about talent and more about role scarcity when so many top options share the court.
The strain has also been reflected in the way the Lakers look offensively when the three creators play together. The on-court product has been characterized as not looking right, and Felton suggested that Deandre Ayton demanding more touches would only complicate the balance the team is still trying to find.
What If the Lakers move Deandre Ayton to the bench to solve the touches problem?
Felton’s proposed adjustment is straightforward and “drastic” by the standards of a team built around star names: remove Deandre Ayton from the starting lineup and let him lead stretches with the second unit. The concept is to reduce direct competition for touches, giving Deandre Ayton more opportunities to be featured rather than relegated to low-volume finishing.
Felton specifically recommended pairing Deandre Ayton with Austin Reaves in second-unit minutes. The logic is pragmatic: fewer high-usage creators on the floor can translate into a larger slice of the offense for Deandre Ayton, which could stabilize his confidence and production while protecting the starting group from a constant internal tug-of-war over possession priority.
Former NBA guard Theo Pinson echoed the broader theme, arguing the Lakers have “too many guys who need the ball. ” Pinson added that Deandre Ayton needs the ball to “look successful, ” and described a pattern: Deandre Ayton has looked his best when only two of the three creators are on the floor at once — either LeBron James and Luka Doncic without Austin Reaves, or Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves without LeBron James.
What Happens Next as the Lakers weigh role changes with the postseason looming?
The push and pull over Deandre Ayton’s role is not happening in a vacuum. The same stretch has included other stressors around the roster, including Luka Doncic’s constant complaining to referees and ongoing questions about the Lakers’ defense. Deandre Ayton’s situation adds another variable to a team already described as having to put out “numerous fires” through the season.
There is also a performance split that sharpens the urgency. Early in the season, Deandre Ayton delivered his best work during a span when LeBron James was sidelined with sciatica. Over that first month, Deandre Ayton averaged 16. 5 points on 69. 6 percent shooting, along with 8. 8 rebounds and 0. 9 blocks per game. That production aligned with the idea that more offensive involvement can unlock his value.
More recently, with the Lakers’ main playmakers all available, Deandre Ayton has struggled to find the same form. In February, his averages were listed at 8. 9 points and 7. 8 rebounds. With the postseason approaching and the West described as stacked with lethal big men, the Lakers are counting on Deandre Ayton to regain form and confidence if they expect to make meaningful noise when games tighten.
The immediate question is not only whether Deandre Ayton can adapt to fewer touches, but whether the Lakers can design a rotation that keeps their offense coherent while addressing defensive concerns that have surfaced throughout the year. A bench role, staggered lineups, or a renewed emphasis on who plays with whom are all implied pathways in the current debate — but each comes with trade-offs, especially for a team still searching for a stable identity.
