Deandre Ayton was the biggest X-factor for the Lakers in the 2025-26 season that ended in the second round of the playoffs after a four-game sweep by the Thunder.
And Ayton will remain that for the Lakers during the preseason until he makes a decision that will have a negative impact on the team’s summer plans.
Ayton is one of three Lakers, along with Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart, who have a player option for the 2026-27 season.
The NBA expectation is that Reaves will opt out of his $14.9 million cap hit next season and become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He will be eligible to sign a five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers or a four-year, $178 million contract with another team.
Smart, who has a $5.4 million player option for 2026-27, should be able to sign a more lucrative deal this offseason — including one with the Lakers — if he comes off having his best season in years.
But Ayton, along with his $8.1 million player option, will be a key point in the Lakers’ offseason as he weighs his options after saying after the season that he didn’t know what decision to make.
“It’s just an honor and a pleasure to be on this stage,” said Ayton. “And another chance, and all that. There are good players that I have studied [from] here. I didn’t think of anything else, to be honest. I take a little rest.”
Ayton added: “I trust my agents. That’s what it’s all about. That’s really out of my hands; I love it here no matter what. The fans and everyone around me, the coaching staff. They treat me like family.”
As the Lakers look to “rebuild” the roster around star guard Luka Doncic, there is a high stakes in the team’s major turnover — especially the starting center.
Doncic was at his best when he played around a fast-moving, lob-threatening center who would protect the rim defensively, which was evident during his run to the 2024 NBA Finals when the Mavericks revolved around Derek Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
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Ayton and his style of play do not fit that archetype.
There was a tug of war between who Ayton was and what the Lakers needed from him all season long – which Ayton acknowledged after the Lakers’ playoff run.
Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, is used to being a featured option in the middle of the offense and has opportunities to force the mind of his scorer.
But the Lakers didn’t need him for many games. They needed his presence on the boards. Rigid rim protector and protective anchor. Even then his offensive touches were limited and rare.
This is strong and that’s why Ayton said he came to the Lakers with a “different mindset” and “has to adjust.” And why did he refer to 2025-26 as “humbling.”
It showed in his career lows of 12.5 points and eight rebounds. But to his credit, Ayton also shot 67.1% for his career. The Lakers were better defensively when Ayton was down during the regular season and a better rebounding team with Ayton playing during the playoffs.
“I came here with the mentality of a scorer, and we don’t need that,” said Ayton. “We’ve got the best players on the team and the best players. I had to break down my game where rebounding, protecting the rim was what the team wanted. It’s not what I want, but it’s what the team wants the most.”
That’s why he’s the X-factor of the Lakers’ offseason.
If Ayton were to go out and sign with another team, it could help open up avenues for the Lakers to sign or find another starting center who fits better next to Doncic.
Ayton choosing to sign or re-sign with the Lakers on another deal will make those options slimmer and murkier.
It’s important to note that Doncic and Ayton are represented by longtime agent Bill Duffy of WME. And that Doncic hired Ayton from the Lakers last summer after Ayton was traded out of his contract with the Trail Blazers.
The Lakers have been looking for the right center to pair with Doncic since they acquired him last February.
And they are still searching.
How easy or difficult that search will be this summer will depend on Ayton.
