Charles Barkley Voices Concern About Lakers After Deandre Ayton Signing

After a season that saw them get bounced out of the NBA Playoffs in the first round, the Los Angeles Lakers took one of the biggest risks of the offseason.

With the team needing more pieces around four-time MVP LeBron James and five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, they took a chance on signing former No. 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton.

While Ayton, who was selected two picks ahead of Doncic in 2018, was once viewed as a potential superstar, he is now considered a disappointment of sorts. Questions surrounding his passion and effort are frequent, and it certainly didn't help matters that the Portland Trail Blazers bought out his contract rather than trying to find a trade partner.

Even with all the baggage he brings, the Lakers are hoping he can push them over the edge into title contention. A thought that NBA legend Charles Barkley didn't seem too high on when making an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show," citing concerns about the team's overall infrastructure.

"They got bigger," Barkley said. "They got bigger. But their second-best player (LeBron James) is going to be 41, 42 years old. Can he stay healthy? Is Luka gonna be in shape? Are they better than the Rockets? Are they better than Oklahoma City? Are they better than Denver? Those are great questions...Because Ayton...I gotta go by his track record and it's not a good track record."