The Los Angeles Lakers finally identified and signed the big man they desperately needed after this past season's opening-round playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Two areas of weakness on the Lakers' roster were exploited early and often by the Timberwolves. The lack of a true center on the roster and the number of players under contract that head coach JJ Redick did not trust to be on the floor when the stakes were at their highest.
Deandre Ayton agreeing to a two-year deal with the Purple and Gold answers one of those needs. What Rob Pelinka does from here on out to address the depth issue remains to be seen, but that is a story for another day.
In this piece, we will discuss who the biggest winner of the Ayton signing is, and I can tell you right now that it will not be the obvious choice of Luka Doncic.
LeBron James Will Benefit Most From Los Angeles Signing Ayton
The lack of a serviceable center on the roster was crushing for the Lakers during their brief playoff run. With Jaxson Hayes rendering himself unplayable, and no other true center option to speak of, James was left manning more of the paint on the defensive end than a 40-year-old should.
That will no longer be an issue with Ayton on the roster. Unlike Hayes, Ayton is a big-bodied center who can bang on the interior with the type of big men that gave Los Angeles fits during the second half of the season and the playoffs. The former Arizona Wildcats standout has never averaged less than a double-double and is enough of a shot blocking threat that he can serve as the rim protector the Lakers were missing after trading Anthony Davis.
Most importantly, the addition will allow James to do what he does best on the defensive end at this stage of his career. Ayton's signing will free up LeBron to, essentially, be the quarterback of the defense on the weak side of the ball, something he has done throughout his career. This also allows James to conserve energy that can be used in transition breakouts or half-court sets on offense.
While Doncic will certainly benefit from having the lob partner in pick and roll motions he sorely missed last season, Ayton's impact on the defensive end, and what it specifically means for James, could be the biggest boost he provides his teammates.