Charles Barkley said that something is different about DeAndre Ayton this season that’s going to make him dangerous for the Los Angeles Lakers, but he got a key detail wrong.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed DeAndre Ayton in free agency after the Portland Trail Blazers bought him out. The big man didn’t live up to his billing, averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season at the age of 26.
Ayton has been criticized for a lack of professionalism off the court and inconsistency on the court. This is his third stop in his eighth NBA season, and he’s gone from an 18 points per game scorer to 14 over the last three years.
Charles Barkley explained why he thinks the Lakers will see a different version of the former number one pick, but he got a key detail wrong.
Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty ImagesCharles Barkley is wrong about why DeAndre Ayton will be ‘dangerous’ with the LA Lakers
The Trail Blazers bought out Ayton despite him having $35.6 million left on his contract. He earned a big payday after helping the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021, but hasn’t recaptured that form since.
Barkley, speaking on the Bill Simmons Podcast, said why he thinks we could see the best version of Ayton this season in LA. He said, “You know what’s going to be different? He’s going to be a free agent. Those are the most dangerous guys.
“I can name some guys who played like c–p for two or three years, but all of a sudden became Bill Russell their last year. And then as soon as they signed their big deal, they went back to being a regular dude.
“I think that’s one of the things that’s going to make the Lakers interesting. Ayton’s got to ball out this year. If he does not play well, he’s not going to get a big deal.”
The issue is that Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million deal with the Lakers this offseason, with a player option for next season. He’s right that players in the final year of their contract are attempting to secure a big deal, but that’s next season for Ayton, not this season.
Barkley went on to explain why the Lakers are the “perfect scenario” for Ayton.
Charles Barkley says Ayton’s Lakers stint is make-or-break, ‘Never going to ball out’
Ayton has signed with two of the greatest playmakers in the history of the NBA. Luka Doncic, in particular, is a center’s dream, using his big men in the pick-and-roll and setting them up for easy scores at the rim.
Doncic has impressed this summer for Slovenia, following his offseason body transformation, which has generated MVP talks. Doncic is motivated after the trade from the Dallas Mavericks and is in the best shape of his life.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, entering his 23rd season, is one of the most intelligent players in the history of the league. He’ll use his wealth of experience to put Ayton in the best position to succeed. Ayton has no excuse not to deliver playing with those two superstars, said Barkley.
He continued, “If he doesn’t ball out playing with LeBron or Luka, he’s never going to ball out. You talk about the perfect scenario.”
As much as Ayton needs the Lakers this season if he wants to put his career back on track, the Lakers need Ayton.
Rudy Gobert dominated the Lakers in the playoffs last season, emphasizing their need for size and physicality down low.
Ayton isn’t exactly renowned for his toughness around the rim. But if he can provide resistance inside while giving Doncic and James a lob threat at the rim, the Lakers will fancy themselves as championship contenders.