The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a crucial offseason decision, and one NBA writer believes the franchise should waste no time cutting ties with a struggling former No. 1 overall pick. With Luka Dončić in his prime and hungry for his first championship, the Lakers can't afford to carry dead weight—especially when that weight comes with a $16 million price tag.
Lake Show Life's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk recently called for the Lakers to move on from center Deandre Ayton, who has been labeled "unplayable" by head coach JJ Redick. Ayton, the 2018 No. 1 pick, was expected to be a reliable two-way presence after arriving in Los Angeles, but his inconsistency has become a major liability.
"Ayton's inconsistency has been a never-ending headache for the Lakers in 2025-26," Rovenchuk wrote. "There are moments when the starting center looks capable of diving to the rim and operating as a pick-and-roll partner for Dončić. There are others in which Ayton is just too indecisive with the ball or just fumbles it altogether on his way to the basket."
The criticism doesn't stop there. Defensively, Ayton has been a glaring weak spot. "This is all said before mentioning the defensive lapses of the former first overall pick. Ayton is just not good enough on a regular basis at protecting the interior on defense," Rovenchuk added.
The Lakers didn't ask Ayton to replace Anthony Davis's superstar production, but they did expect consistent effort and viable two-way play. Instead, the 27-year-old has delivered erratic performances that have frustrated fans and coaches alike. The tension boiled over during Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs, when Redick was caught telling an assistant that he "couldn't play" Ayton after a particularly uninspiring defensive sequence.
With Ayton holding a player option for the 2026-27 season, the Lakers face a critical choice. Rovenchuk urges general manager Rob Pelinka to act swiftly: "If the Lakers center does opt in, Rob Pelinka should move quickly to unload him elsewhere in a trade."
For a team built around Dončić's brilliance, every roster spot must earn its keep. Ayton's time in purple and gold may be running out—and the Lakers can't afford to wait any longer.