Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been reliable in the 2025-26 NBA season. Through 29 games, he’s averaged 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds, shooting 70.4% from the field. However, there have been reports that Ayton has been frustrated with his lack of touches.
This happened after Friday’s 128-121 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Ayton finished with four points and six rebounds in under 25 minutes of action. The following day, coach JJ Redick talked to the media and said that DA could be frustrated with his role on the team.
On Monday, things changed when the Lakers got Ayton involved early in their 120-114 win over the Grizzlies. He had 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and addressed the reports about his “frustration.”
“Bigs can’t feed themselves,” he said. “I just try my best do what I can to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers out there to find me.”
After this, he was hit with a reality check with former two-time All-NBA star DeMarcus Cousins on Wednesday’s episode of “Run It Back.”
“The complaining, the whining, that kind of put you in this situation of where you are in your career in the first place. Let’s not get back to that,” Cousins said.
Boogie Cousins has a message for Deandre Ayton 🗣️💯
"No team in the NBA is signing you to be a scorer…stay quiet and just play."@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/ViJF0gKLzT
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 5, 2026
“You have to realize that no team in the NBA is signing you to be a scorer. They’re not going to drop the ball down to you. They’re not going to ISO you on the block… If you want more touches, get on the boards.”
Deandre Ayton isn’t part of the Lakers’ long-term plan
After a two-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, Deandre Ayton signed a two-year deal to join the Lakers. Many believe he can be the pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic. However, Stein Line’s Jake Fischer suggested that LA might not view Ayton as part of their long-term plans centered around Doncic.
“I don’t think anyone in that Lakers building looks at Deandre Ayton as their long-term answer at center,” Fischer said.
The former No. 1 pick in 2018 hasn’t panned out as a star in the league. Although he’s a solid starting center, Ayton has disappointed in evolving into a star player. After his time with the Phoenix Suns, he has never been the same dynamic player.
