Ayton

[Beethoven]

Ayton is on the team. Whether you like it or not.

Can this work out. In this context? Can he do what Dwight did in sort of a prodigal son situation and redeem himself with a championship?
He has the tools and talent to help this team to one. Along with Luka.

Not sure if he will though?

Crossing my fingers.


&&&
Welcome DeAndre Ayton. You're a Laker now. You're one of us.

[MAMBAEMD]

I like it .
We just can’t have massive expectations .
I’ll settle for some solid rebounding and good offense around the rim and within 15 ft.

He’s not a game changer for us but definitely an upgrade in the middle .

Low risk
Potential high reward situation at a very low cost

We’ve gone from a center rotation of Hayes/ Kiloko to Ayton/Hayes/Klieber

This is a big upgrade and we gave yo zero assets to get him

[SlimShady83]

Predicting stats for Ayton. We've all seen what Luka did to Hayes in just a short time.

Ayton = 20pts (25 maybe?), 12 rebounds 4-5 asts, how Is Ayton's blocking? I'm rolling with 1-2 a game?

His going to be motivated.

[SlimShady83]

This is a big upgrade and we gave yo zero assets to get him

Repeat that again, crazy it didn't cost anything

[danfantastk32]

This is a big upgrade and we gave yo zero assets to get him

Repeat that again, crazy it didn't cost anything

I agree that we can't expect the world here. But he's a decent player, and now we have a "good" center. Not a great center, but a good one. And we didn't give up the farm to get him, so I'm fine with it.

[SlimShady83]

Repeat that again, crazy it didn't cost anything

I agree that we can't expect the world here. But he's a decent player, and now we have a "good" center. Not a great center, but a good one. And we didn't give up the farm to get him, so I'm fine with it.

lol you of all people should know I'd trade the picks for the right pieces, not sure I ever said it for Ayton though? I've said a lot things on here I'm loving this offseason been so much fun, not just Lakers either, should be fun to see this 7 team trade? Thought Durant was already on the Rockets my bad on that one.

[SlimShady83]

I didn't know this, just listening to Lakernation via Trevor... Ayton and Luka from the first draft class 2018 ... That alone is exciting

[danfantastk32]

lol you of all people should know I'd trade the picks for the right pieces, not sure I ever said it for Ayton though?

Hey, I'd sell picks for the right pieces too....I just don't think we've done that in years.

[danfantastk32]

I didn't know this, just listening to Lakernation via Trevor... Ayton and Luka from the first draft class 2018 ... That alone is exciting

Yeah...that's cool. I think he will do good here. I'm not over the moon about it....but I think it's good. And we didn't mortgage more future. Look forward to Ayton showing the world he's better than we knew. I think Luka will make his life easier as well.

[SlimShady83]

lol you of all people should know I'd trade the picks for the right pieces, not sure I ever said it for Ayton though?

Hey, I'd sell picks for the right pieces too....I just don't think we've done that in years.

Kessler Is him my man. Been saying this even b4 Luka trade and everyone knows it. Why.? (replaces the Zubac misshap trade) His a defensive specialist, able to stay out of foul trouble (most of the time), always there to grab rebounds and goes for blocks almost always, his young enough 23/4 to where you can trade him for (Gobert type of trade Utah did back in the day) later down the line.

Now we got Ayton you could have Kessler off the bench, he wouldn't complain his not the type you could go BIG in the certain lineups vs certain teams or small ball etc, his worth all the picks; Knecht/FRP/ 2 pick swaps, call me crazy all you want lol, I'm sold (I'm an agrressive GM). No other team will throw multiple picks for Kessler in what Ainge wants for Kessler.

But in saying that I'm keen to see what this 7 team trade is all about <> Nick richards? maybe Allen the pipe dream from Cavs? lols... Sorry all going a tad off stopic, but loving this offseason I'm pumped haha.

[Doug_12]

I don't like this signing at all. I get that he is cheap (especially because he was earning 30m+ in the previous year), but he is the type of guy no one wants near his team. His lack of effort and awareness can be detrimental to the whole team plus these are the traits that make a whole fanbase mad at you quite quickly.

On paper he is an upgrade from Hayes but I'm not a huge believer in that. I think we will see no improvement vs last year (even when we factor in DFS->LaRavia move) and will conclude that we should've signed someone cheaper...

[Dr Manute]

Suns fan here - was in the arena when he was drafted by the Suns - our 1st and only franchise #1 pick, followed his career and watched almost all his games while on the Suns. He's one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched - Unbelievable physical gifts. Teases you with a few good games, and takes the other games off. Interesting fact - He's a motivated online gamer - He's admitted staying up all night gaming. Our Local Talk show hosts called him a "Mad King" - has the power to do great things, but rarely did. Many stories on his work ethic from from his time in Phoenix and Portland (fun to look them up and read them). When we finally traded him to Portland we celebrated (remember our return was Nurk). Ayton's best year was the year before his big contract - once he got paid he has regressed every year.

I'm happy the Laker's signed him, but Laker's should have fought hard for a Team Option on the 2nd year of his contract.

[SlimShady83]

Suns fan here - was in the arena when he was drafted by the Suns - our 1st and only franchise #1 pick, followed his career and watched almost all his games while on the Suns. He's one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched - Unbelievable physical gifts. Teases you with a few good games, and takes the other games off. Interesting fact - He's a motivated online gamer - He's admitted staying up all night gaming. Our Local Talk show hosts called him a "Mad King" - has the power to do great things, but rarely did. Many stories on his work ethic from from his time in Phoenix and Portland (fun to look them up and read them). When we finally traded him to Portland we celebrated (remember our return was Nurk). Ayton's best year was the year before his big contract - once he got paid he has regressed every year.

I'm happy the Laker's signed him, but Laker's should have fought hard for a Team Option on the 2nd year of his contract.

I know it was a while ago on the suns, how would you rate his defense any flashes of it? he stated he wanted to be on a winning team and I feel he'll be extra motivated on the Lakers, if it doesn't work out Lakers will probably ship him out b4 he becomes FA.

[Michael Lucky]

Not sure how to feel about it. On one hand, he's clearly an improvement at the 5. However, he won't solve other issues for us (mainly defense) and Lebron getting older. This is a throwaway season, next FA will determine the future of the franchise.

[Dr Manute]

Suns fan here - was in the arena when he was drafted by the Suns - our 1st and only franchise #1 pick, followed his career and watched almost all his games while on the Suns. He's one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched - Unbelievable physical gifts. Teases you with a few good games, and takes the other games off. Interesting fact - He's a motivated online gamer - He's admitted staying up all night gaming. Our Local Talk show hosts called him a "Mad King" - has the power to do great things, but rarely did. Many stories on his work ethic from from his time in Phoenix and Portland (fun to look them up and read them). When we finally traded him to Portland we celebrated (remember our return was Nurk). Ayton's best year was the year before his big contract - once he got paid he has regressed every year.

I'm happy the Laker's signed him, but Laker's should have fought hard for a Team Option on the 2nd year of his contract.

I know it was a while ago on the suns, how would you rate his defense any flashes of it? he stated he wanted to be on a winning team and I feel he'll be extra motivated on the Lakers, if it doesn't work out Lakers will probably ship him out b4 he becomes FA.

He moves very well for a big man - can switch on guards (doesn't have to do drop coverage on the pick and roll). His vertical jump is elite (I have a picture of his head almost level with the rim on an ally-op dunk he did over Giannis once. He can get pushed around sometimes by the bigger Centers. He was a primary reason the Suns made the finals a few years ago. That's why it hurts so much to see him underperform for us. If he is motivated he would be a steal at under 8.5mil/season. Maybe the bright lights of LA is what he needs to light a fire under him.

[Jedi32]

We don't need him to be a savior or our best player. We just need him to be serviceable and be engaged. We have Luka, we still have Bron for now and we have AR15. We need competence and he's that. Plus as others have said it didn't cost us any assests.

[Broadcaster]

Predicting stats for Ayton. We've all seen what Luka did to Hayes in just a short time.

Ayton = 20pts (25 maybe?), 12 rebounds 4-5 asts, how Is Ayton's blocking? I'm rolling with 1-2 a game?

His going to be motivated.

You think Ayton is going to average 25-12-5? Really?

[Landsberger]

He seems to improve the talent at the position. The motivation, attitude and ability to fit into a team however seems to be known around the league... who's often not wrong.

[One_and_Done]

Even if Ayton has a bounce back year, the problem isn't so much him as the fit of the rest of the roster. The Lakers have zero defensive players projected to start for them, unless you count Lebron (who can lock in when he wants to, but at almost 41 is no longer able to do that night to night in the RS). There's a chance this goes really badly.

Lakers need to move guys like Reaves for defensive role players like Derrick Jones.

[Anderson Hunt]

There's too much offense in the current starting lineup and not enough defensive role-players.

Chances are, because of this, guys won't know their offensive roles. It'll be a problem -- especially for Ayton.

Ayton needs enough touches to score 18 a game in order for him to play adequate defense.

The Lakers would be best served replacing Reaves and Hachimura in the starting lineup with Vincent and Vanderbilt.