The Los Angeles Lakers have become a highlight today, not because of their performance on the court, but for signing the big guy DeAndre Ayton. Although it seems like a fair deal, adding someone tall, athletic, and a once-number-one pick in the NBA Draft, everything isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Ayton is said to get around $16.6 million in total. Cool, but there is a catch for the Lakers. Those who enjoy the NBA 2K video games know that Ayton is mega! The player is pretty useful when there’s a controller in your hand, but in real life, it’s a completely different story.
My Go-to Player in NBA 2K25
As I mentioned earlier, DeAndre Ayton is useful when you have a controller in your hand. Whether you want rebounds, dunks, or dominance, he can work for everything.
Quite reliable as well, be it defending shots or conquering the paint — Ayton can cover it. No attitude, no dragging the team down, just peak performance! But that’s because it’s a video game, and you can control him the way you want.
Snapping Back to Reality
While he can be a game changer in NBA 2K games, in real life, things aren’t as smooth as on screen. In fact, in the NBA, Ayton is often associated with subpar efforts and an unusual attitude. On the court, he plays with low energy, avoids contact, and disappears during momentous games. These are all the traits of a player that a coach can’t rely on.
If we sum him up, Ayton has talent, I mean the guy was a number one pick in the NBA Draft, but his overall behavior and motivation remain a concern. Putting him on the court with young ones could be a gamble. Ayton might bring them down mentally if something doesn’t go his way.
Although this signing might be a gamble, the Lakers are playing it safe. The contract given to DeAndre Ayton isn’t that risky to begin with. Spanning two years, the second year contains a player option, which means he can be booted if things don’t go as planned.
Apart from the entire contract, Ayton is only 26 years old. The Lakers needed a center, and they got one with extra size and experience, making it a win-win situation for both. And personally, if I were given a chance to play alongside NBA legends like LeBron and Luka, I’d be getting my attitude in place.
So, who knows, this change of environment might even change DeAndre Ayton for good? For now, let’s just wish him luck and hope he proves all of us wrong by being the best version of himself.
