Lakers involved in trade talks, Ayton might be traded, multiple reporters confirm Ayton is not a long-term target for the Lakers

Yesterday, after giving up two consecutive uncontested baskets, Ayton was substituted out by the coach and did not re-enter. He totaled 22 minutes on the floor, shooting 3 of 6, scoring 6 points and collecting 2 rebounds.

Lately, Ayton has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff, being benched during critical moments of the game. Hayes has taken over as the pivotal inside presence. Yesterday, Hayes delivered a jaw-dropping between-the-legs dunk on a fast break, a rare sight in recent games. Although Llullavia joked postgame about Hayes’ jump height, it was still easily the best play of the day.

In the last four games, the Lakers have gone 3-1 with a net positive margin of 17 points. Meanwhile, Ayton has averaged only 5.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, shooting a low 34.4% from the field.With Ayton on the court, the Lakers have been outscored by opponents by 42 points.

Now, when facing tougher centers, Ayton relies almost exclusively on his turnaround hook shot, which often comes off as weak and ineffective, frequently missing. Simple missed layups, failed alley-oops, and off-target open shots frustrate both teammates and coaches, negatively impacting team morale.

Last summer, the Lakers couldn’t find a better center on the free agent market and signed Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal, which surprised many. So far this season, Ayton is averaging 13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1 block per game, shooting 66% from the field and 63.2% from the free-throw line. Statistically, he’s worth his $8 million annual salary.

His hook shot percentage is 57.8%, mid-range jumper at 54.1%. When he scores 20 points in a game, the Lakers are 9-0. When he hits 15 points, the team stands at 16-1. When he posts at least 15 points and 10 rebounds, the Lakers are undefeated at 12-0.

In the first 23 games this season, Ayton had eight games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.Since then, in the following 17 games, he has only produced such numbers once.

On a high-profile team like the Lakers, with players like Doncic, Reeves, and James creating many scoring opportunities, Ayton’s diminishing contribution to wins suggests he might soon part ways with the Lakers.

ESPN reporter Tim McMahon said on a podcast that the Lakers letting go of Ayton would not be difficult because many interior players are eager to team up with Doncic, and numerous agents have already reached this consensus.The Lakers giving up on Ayton is no longer seen as a dramatic or surprising move.

The reporter stated: “I recently spoke with an agent whose client is a frontcourt player on the verge of leaving his current team, but he is very eager to get his client to the Lakers. I can assure you, the desire among big men to play alongside Doncic is extremely strong.”

Ayton was never a core piece in the Lakers’ long-term plans, as evidenced by the short two-year contract they signed with him. He is more of a transitional player who could be replaced at any time.

Former Lakers reporter Jovan Buha mentioned on a podcast that the Lakers might seek to upgrade Ayton’s position before the trade deadline. Another reporter, Jake Fischer, said the Lakers do not view Ayton as their long-term center.

ESPN reporters Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported that the Lakers have been very active in the trade market with clear targets: a young, reliable two-way wing and a rim-protecting center.

League insiders predict,if the Lakers ultimately decide to move on from Ayton, there will be more potential center candidates interested in filling the vacancy than many fans expect.

The Lakers need a blue-collar center who is willing to set screens, finish alley-oops, protect the rim, and score efficiently. Ayton’s temperament is too mild and often leads to him being pushed around; what the team really needs is his “toughness.”

Hopefully, Ayton can find his role within the Lakers, seize every easy scoring chance, get his form back, and prove himself again to teammates and coaches. If he continues as before, then it’s truly time to say goodbye to the Lakers. With just over a week left until the trade deadline this season, we’ll wait and see how things unfold.