The Los Angeles Lakers had a pressing need for a new starting center after they ended the 2024-25 campaign with such a thin frontcourt as they found themselves decimated by the Minnesota Timberwolves on the glass in the first round of the playoffs. They did address that need of theirs by bringing in Deandre Ayton on a two-year, $16 million deal, but he was available for that cheap for a reason after the Portland Trail Blazers decided that they'd rather buy him out than have him on the team.

Ayton's talent and athleticism can never be called into question. However, many fans have come to realize that his effort levels wane and his motor comes and goes . But the Lakers could not have afforded to be choosy considering the dearth of options at the center spot in free agency. Nonetheless

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