In a moment that Lakers fans won't soon forget, JJ Redick's sharp criticism of Deandre Ayton's effort has been fully validated—and it all came down to one painful sequence in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers are staring down a sweep at the hands of the defending champions, and the Thunder have dominated every facet of the game. But nowhere has the disparity been more glaring than on the glass. Ayton finished with just six rebounds, a number that simply doesn't cut it for a team's primary big man. The problem? Rebounding is about hustle, and Ayton has been caught flat-footed more than once.

Ayton has always been something of an enigma. Remember his early days with the Phoenix Suns? He was phenomenal, helping lead them to the 2021 NBA Finals and looking like a cornerstone piece. But cracks started to show. A tendency to drift, to take plays off. During his stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, it became a recurring theme: teammates outworking him, his motor running a gear lower than everyone else.

Now in purple and gold, the pattern has returned. Critics have called him out before, but Game 3 against the Thunder brought it to a boiling point. On a single possession, the Thunder snagged multiple offensive rebounds right over Ayton. That was the moment Redick turned to his assistant coaches and essentially said, "I can't play him."

For a player of Ayton's talent, that's a devastating verdict. He has one more year left on his contract for the 2026-27 season, but don't be surprised if Redick pushes hard for a center who brings consistent energy and effort. In a league where every rebound can swing a series, Ayton's lack of urgency is becoming an expensive liability.