The Los Angeles Lakers may have found their answer at center in Deandre Ayton, but for the 26-year-old former No. 1 pick, this season feels like more than just a fresh start, it feels like survival.
Ayton was clear about what’s at stake as he prepares to take over the starting job in Los Angeles.
“This is the biggest opportunity I can say, in my career. Some people say it’s my last leg, some people say it’s my last chance. This is an opportunity I can say I’m truly not going to take for granted,” Ayton said during Media Day. “It’s almost like a wounded animal. I feel all the tension and I know where I’m at.”
His comments come after an uneven stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, where his production remained steady but questions about his role and behavior surfaced. Despite those doubts, Ayton insists he is ready to reestablish himself.
“I’ve been in the gym every day. Like I say, I’m somewhere where it counts now,” he said. “And I’m happy that everybody gets to see it. I’m happy where as a player, as myself, I get a chance to prove something big on a big stage.”
The numbers back up his confidence. Even in a shortened 40-game campaign last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor.
Now he joins forces with Luka Doncic, a premier pick-and-roll creator, the type of playmaker Ayton thrived alongside in Phoenix during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run.
“I’ve proven myself that I dominate best with playmakers. I’m here once again. I’m much older now, the game is much easier to me,” Ayton said. “Just playing alongside Luka is going to make a lot of things easier. It’s the true nature of the game, and really just to emphasize that even more.”
For Ayton, the stage doesn’t get any bigger. And the “wounded animal” is ready to fight for his NBA future.
READ MORE: Kevin Durant Open to Rockets Extension