Key Highlights
- Raymond Felton predicts DeAndre Ayton’s best fit is on the bench with second unit.
- Ayton’s role and touches are limited due to star players LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
- The Lakers’ offense struggles when these top players play together.
Raymond Felton, the seasoned NBA veteran who played 14 seasons in the league, has a knack for seeing the big picture. In his recent podcast appearance on “To The Baha,” he boldly predicted that DeAndre Ayton’s best fit with the Los Angeles Lakers is as a bench player rather than a starter alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers’ Offense: A Tale of Three Stars
James, Doncic, and Reaves are each ball-dominant players who thrive on the court, but their presence creates a dilemma for Ayton. According to Felton, Ayton’s role has shifted significantly this season. Historically, he averaged 12.4 attempts per game over his first seven seasons.
However, with James, Doncic, and Reaves vying for possession, Ayton’s touches have plummeted to just 8.7 a game.
“I said this months ago. Now we’re two months into it, and he’s crashing out, saying he needs touches,” Felton remarked. “I told y’all this was going to happen.”
Putting Ayton on the Bench: A Viable Solution?
Felton’s solution is straightforward yet radical: bench Ayton alongside Reaves in the second unit. This move would provide Ayton with more touches and a clearer path to success, as his best performance occurred when only two of these top players were on the floor.
When LeBron was sidelined due to sciatica, Ayton excelled, averaging 16.5 points on an impressive 69.6 percent shooting from the field. He also gathered 8.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, demonstrating his potential as a dominant center for the Lakers.
The Lakers’ Struggle: Too Many Ball-Handlers?
According to Theo Pinson, another former NBA guard, the Lakers face an uphill battle with too many players needing possession of the ball. “All I’m saying is this comes down to what we’ve been saying about the Lakers the whole damn season: They have too many guys who need the ball,” he noted.
Pinson’s analysis aligns with Felton’s prediction, highlighting that Ayton needs more touches to look successful. With James, Doncic, and Reaves all in uniform, Ayton struggles to find his form, averaging 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in February.
The Lakers are counting on Ayton’s resurgence for the postseason, given the West’s stacked landscape with other formidable big men. His ability to regain confidence and productivity will be crucial as they aim to make a deep playoff run.