There is no denying that the Los Angeles Lakers' success will largely be driven by Luka Doncic and LeBron James next season. Teams in the NBA usually go as far as their superstars take them, and the Lakers are no exception to that rule. If anything, as a top-heavy team with Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers will perhaps rely on their stars as much as any team in the league.
Yet, there is a new arrival in Los Angeles who will play as big a role as the stars on the team in determining how far the Lakers go next season. Deandre Ayton will be carrying a big load on his shoulders as the only starter-caliber center on the roster. If he can't turn back the clock to his Phoenix days, what Doncic and James do will not matter.
Deandre Ayton Will Be Lakers' X-Factor Next Season
Ayton has long been a polarizing big man. After coming into the league as the first-overall pick in 2018, Ayton has had his ups and downs. He has all the physical and athletic tools in the world, but hasn't been very good at translating those to the court. He shies away from contact, loves taking mid-rangers, and doesn't dominate the paint like his size would suggest.
Yet, he is the only chance the Lakers have at center. As frustrating as Ayton can be, he is also a very talented offensive player who has shown flashes of intriguing defensive chops. He was excellent in Phoenix's run to the NBA Finals in 2021, guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo on one end and providing interior scoring on the other. This earned him a four-year, $133 million extension in the 2022 offseason, but he hasn't been able to live up to that ever since.
It has been a few seasons since Ayton has played at that level. However, the Lakers desperately need him to. The only other traditional center on the Lakers' roster is Jaxson Hayes, and he has proven himself to be a lower-end backup at best.
The Lakers need more size, strength, and physicality in the frontcourt since Reaves and Doncic can't provide that on the perimeter. Ayton needs to play with force, dominate the boards, and anchor the defense. If he can do that, the Lakers can beat any team in the league. Otherwise, they are doomed for another early playoff exit, regardless of what skinny Luka Doncic can do.