There’s a buzz brewing in Los Angeles, and it’s not just the usual offseason speculation. It’s louder, more persistent, almost feverish. Every summer, the Lakers are involved in some kind of rumor mill—whether it’s a blockbuster trade, a superstar free-agent pursuit, or a mid-tier roster shakeup. This time, it’s Deandre Ayton’s name that’s being floated. The idea of Ayton wearing purple and gold is the kind of move that usually ignites a firestorm of reactions among fans and analysts. But David Dennis Jr. isn’t sold. In fact, he’s not sure it even moves the needle.
You can understand where that hesitation comes from. The Lakers are in a state of in-between—not fully rebuilding, not fully contending. LeBron James is still capable of transcendent moments, but Father Time isn’t exactly losing ground. Anthony Davis has been an elite two-way force when healthy, but that caveat continues to linger. The supporting cast has been shuffled and reshuffled more times than most can count in the past three years. And now, Deandre Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick with a career that feels both accomplished and unfulfilled at the same time, is being discussed as a potential difference-maker.
But does Ayton actually make a difference? That’s the question Dennis seems to be grappling with, and it’s not an easy one to answer.
On paper, Ayton checks a lot of boxes. He’s a 7-footer with soft touch around the rim, a reliable mid-range jumper, and solid rebounding instincts. He’s also just 26, with playoff experience and physical tools that many teams would love to incorporate into their frontcourt. But the story of Deandre Ayton has always been more complicated than the stats or scouting report suggest.
What’s at the core of Dennis’s doubt is something a lot of NBA followers have felt but often struggle to articulate: Ayton has all the talent in the world, but his impact isn’t always as loud as it should be. He can put up a quiet 18 and 10, look disengaged during stretches, and sometimes disappear in crucial moments. When you look at players who genuinely “move the needle”—who shift the balance of power in a conference or elevate a team’s ceiling—you expect something more than baseline competency. You expect dominance. You expect force of will. And that’s where Ayton has often come up short.
The Lakers, even in their current limbo, still operate under a championship-or-bust philosophy. That’s the weight of playing for the league’s most storied franchise, especially when LeBron James is still on the roster. Every move is judged not by whether it improves the team slightly, but by whether it propels them into the realm of true contenders. In that light, Ayton’s arrival would likely be seen more as a lateral move than a leap forward.
Of course, fit matters too. If Ayton were to land in Los Angeles, he’d likely be playing alongside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. On paper, that seems like an intriguing duo: Davis handling defensive versatility and weak-side rim protection, while Ayton takes on more of the bruising physicality inside. But chemistry is not just about paper synergy. Ayton has thrived most when he’s a primary or secondary option in a well-structured offense—think back to Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run. In L.A., he’d be at best the third option, more likely the fourth, depending on how the offense is structured around LeBron, Davis, and whoever else remains.
That hierarchy could be a problem. Ayton has bristled in the past when his role has been diminished. He’s not the kind of player who naturally thrives on hustle plays and scraps for attention in the margins. He wants touches. He wants to be featured. And the Lakers, for all their star power, have not always been great at integrating players who don’t naturally defer. Just ask Russell Westbrook.
Then there’s the question of mentality. Ayton has been criticized—fairly or unfairly—for lacking that fire, that edge, that killer instinct that defines so many great big men. He’s incredibly skilled, but often passive. You can see it in how he approaches defensive switches or how he sometimes avoids contact around the rim. With someone like Anthony Davis already on the roster, the Lakers can’t afford another player who floats in and out of games. They need certainty, consistency, and intensity. Ayton has shown flashes, but not sustained stretches.
David Dennis Jr.’s skepticism isn’t born out of disrespect—it’s rooted in expectations. He’s asking the right question: Does Ayton raise the Lakers’ floor, their ceiling, or neither? Because if it’s neither, then what’s the point? L.A. already has enough players who can give them decent production without drastically changing the team’s outlook. They need players who alter matchups, who force opponents to rethink game plans, who change the tempo and tone of a playoff series. Is Ayton that guy?
So far, his track record suggests he isn’t. Even in Phoenix, where he was surrounded by elite shot creators like Devin Booker and Chris Paul, he never quite became the consistent third star the Suns envisioned. He had moments—big ones, even—but never sustained dominance. And when things soured between him and the franchise, it wasn’t because he was underpaid or underutilized. It was because the franchise sensed a ceiling, and it wasn’t as high as it needed to be.
Now, bringing that version of Ayton into the Lakers ecosystem could lead to more questions than answers. What happens when his touches dip again? When the media scrutiny doubles? When the effort questions re-emerge? L.A. is not known for being a low-pressure environment, and Ayton’s confidence, already fragile at times, could become a liability rather than an asset.
There’s also a logistical aspect to consider. What would the Lakers give up in order to acquire Ayton? Are they sacrificing future draft flexibility? Rotational depth? A promising young player like Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves? Any of those losses could negate the marginal gains Ayton might bring. Because again, it comes back to value added. You can’t just bring in a big name and expect results. You have to consider cost—both financially and in team chemistry.
And while Ayton is undoubtedly talented, he’s also owed a significant amount of money over the next few years. That’s a major commitment for a player who may not deliver in the biggest moments. If the Lakers were to use a large chunk of their cap space on Ayton, it could limit their ability to add depth or flexibility down the line—something that has already haunted them in past seasons.
Dennis’s hesitation may come off as harsh to some, but it reflects a growing sentiment that the Lakers need more than just talent—they need impact. They need urgency. They need reliability. Ayton has the potential to be all those things, but potential isn’t what wins championships. Production, consistency, and a competitive edge do. And Ayton, for all his gifts, hasn’t yet proven he can consistently deliver in those areas.
That’s why the speculation feels hollow. That’s why the excitement around Ayton joining the Lakers doesn’t quite resonate the way it might for other players. And that’s why David Dennis Jr. is right to be unsure. Because in the end, the Lakers don’t just need names. They need answers. And for now, Ayton still feels like a question.
