While Deandre Ayton hasn’t been exactly dominating opponents with averages of 15.8 points on 60 percent shooting and 9.3 rebounds per game early in the season for the Los Angeles Lakers, he has been a solid addition to a team that has lacked a reliable interior presence over the last few seasons.
However, for Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, that’s not enough. For a team riddled by injuries to numerous key players led by superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Chuck contended that the former top pick has to do more, not only to help the Lakers stay afloat in the loaded Western Conference, but also possibly secure a bigger contract in the next few years.
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Ayton has to maximize his second chance
After a successful five-year stint with the Phoenix Suns, during which he played a pivotal role in their 2021 NBA Finals run, Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he became a forgotten man. Although his numbers were still solid, DA was hampered by injuries and played in only 95 games in two seasons.
After getting waived by Portland earlier this year, Ayton’s career got a new lease on life after the Lakers signed him to a two-year deal. However, Chuck said he’s not making the kind of impact many expected him to have on a Purple & Gold squad that hasn’t had a formidable interior player since trading Anthony Davis last season.
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“With them guys out, he should be like, ‘I’m going to get another 15, 20 shots a game.’ He should be the second-best option,” Barkley said on “Inside the NBA.”
“He landed in a perfect situation with LeBron and Luka. He should be out here like, ‘Austin Reaves got a contract. I’m trying to get a contract!’ I would be out here housing dudes,” Chuck emphasized.
Barkley’s point is sound. Whenever James and Doncic are on the floor, all that’s left for the other Lakers are crumbs and scraps. However, with the two scorers and playmakers still sidelined, the opportunity is ripe for Ayton to establish himself as a reliable scorer and interior presence, but so far, he hasn’t been able to capitalize on it.
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“Without them, he should be averaging more than 15 points, because Austin Reaves is getting 40!” Barkley emphasized. “First of all, he’s got to be the key to their team. Easily 25 and 10 without Luka and LeBron.”
Shaq provides the blueprint
Legendary big man Shaquille O’Neal chimed in and provided a recipe for Ayton to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
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“Kenny, that’s three drop-offs a quarter — drop-offs. That’s easy. No double, no triple. Three drop-offs,” O’Neal surmised. “Two times a game where he demands the ball and goes for that jump hook. And two offensive rebounds a half.”
As easy as Shaq made it sound, averaging 20 and 10 for anyone other than him is a difficult task. For one, O’Neal was a monstrous 7’1″ physical specimen who routinely trucked over defenders nightly. DA, meanwhile, has a slight 250-pound body.
Still, Barkley was adamant that Ayton get his numbers while he can still get the ball, because it’s likely that when the Lakers megastars return, the only time he’ll touch the rock will be on offensive rebounds.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.