Lakers are trying to unlock the greatness in Deandre Ayton
The Lakers are intensifying efforts to unlock growth in deandre ayton as the team enters a 26-game stretch run, after a film session that followed a loss to the Celtics highlighted both positive trends and clear areas for improvement. The outcome matters now because the club needs more consistent production from its starting center if it hopes to climb toward a top-four seed.
Deandre Ayton's production and role
Deandre Ayton is producing the lowest per-game averages of his career in points (13. 0), rebounds (8. 4) and minutes (28. 1), with field-goal attempts (8. 9) and makes (5. 9) also at career lows while his overall field-goal percentage sits at a career-high 66. 6%. In the recent loss to the Celtics he finished with four points on two-for-six shooting, seven rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot. Coaches noted defensive positives but also singled out specific offensive effort lapses in game film.
Coaching message and team support
Coach feedback has balanced encouragement with blunt critique. One coach framed the review with phrases like "there's positive trends" alongside "he could be better" when pointing to instances where faster pursuit of plays and more aggressive offensive rebounding would have helped. The staff has emphasized patience and steady encouragement; symbolic gestures have been used to send a message of support. Teammates have echoed a similar tone: one locker-room teammate said, "He's done OK... he definitely could be better; we all could, " and stressed that Ayton understands the work ahead.
Jaxson Hayes forcing roster reality
Behind Ayton, Jaxson Hayes has emerged as the most reliable frontcourt option on the roster, a reality the Lakers have had to confront since the roster changes that followed a major trade more than a year ago. Hayes has shown improved chemistry with the team's primary ballhandler, consistent energy and the ability to deliver when asked to do more, including an uptick in closing-game appearances. Front-office attempts to upgrade the frontcourt have failed in the past, and the team appears to be maintaining Ayton in the starting role in part to avoid a demotion that could worsen motivation. At the same time, the increase in games closed with Hayes or without a traditional center has been notable.
Decisive stretch and what comes next
The Lakers are hoping a strong push after the All-Star break will move them toward a higher seed; to pull that off, they need Ayton to reach a higher, more consistent level of play. One recent list placed him among the league's more overrated players, and other coverage has framed this period as a decisive stretch for his career. The team has three dominant ballhandlers whose job includes feeding the center, and coaches have urged better passing and trust across the roster to activate him more often.
- Key takeaways: Coaches see talent and engagement but want more consistent effort and offensive activity from Ayton.
- Bench reality: Jaxson Hayes has become a reliable option, increasing the team's closing-lineup flexibility.
- Upcoming test: With 26 games remaining, Ayton's play over the stretch will influence the Lakers' push for a higher seed.
Looking ahead, the situation presents two clear conditional scenarios: if Ayton consistently improves his activity on switches, offensive rebounding and in man-down situations, the Lakers gain a steadier inside presence; if those trends do not appear, the team may continue leaning more on Hayes late in close games. Specific roster or contract decisions tied to these outcomes are unclear at this time, and the team has framed its approach around steady support while seeking greater consistency from its starting center.
