Since he started his career in 2018, Deandre Ayton has been heavily criticized for his lack of defensive dominance. Although he’d occasionally get a block or two, he wasn’t physically imposing, despite being listed at 7-feet. The Phoenix Suns didn’t feel his defensive presence, and he was frequently a point of discussion among supporters.
This season, however, Ayton is determined to change the narrative around him. During the offseason, he was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers to be their starting center. He was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, which allowed him to join his fellow 2018 draftee, Luka Doncic.
He attempted to play a defensive-centered game in his first preseason game. He had one point, eight rebounds and two blocks against the Suns. Ayton performed better in his third preseason game, which was on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors.
Deandre Ayton had 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block against the Warriors on 75% shooting on the floor.
After the Lakers’ 126-116 win over Golden State, Ayton spoke highly about changing his image and becoming more reliable on defense.
“(I’m) just really changing the narrative of protecting the rim on the defensive end,” the former No. 1 pick told the media.
“JJ (Redick) has really put it on me and put on the emphasis that he wants his bigs protecting the rim, so I’m just trying to be a big part of that… I’m just trying to let the world know and the league know that I’m the Lakers center and I’m the anchor of the defense.”
It’s not too late for Ayton to change his image. After all, he has the physical tools to be a dominant force on the defensive end.
Deandre Ayton had high praise for Austin Reaves
Although Deandre Ayton is a frontcourt player, he sometimes gets into situations where he has to defend a backcourt player. One of the players who used to puzzle him was Austin Reaves, a player who has shown significant growth over the past few years and is arguably the third option for the Lakers.
Ayton has a sigh of relief now that he doesn’t have to defend Reaves. He had high praise for his new teammate during his time in front of reporters.
“I told him he’s phenomenal. Especially his crafty shot creation. I used to be on the other end of that,” Ayton said. “I would be having wonders and puzzling my head. But now I know how to get him open, how he works, and how he operates. He’s fantastic.”
"I'm just trying to let the world know and the league know that I'm the Lakers center and anchor of this defense."
Deandre Ayton (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) speaks with @LakersReporter after the Lakers defeat the Warriors, 126-116 in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/vpQHJYz1et
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 13, 2025
The Lakers are poised to contend for the championship, and Ayton and Reaves are expected to play significant roles.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
