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Deandre Ayton says teaming up with LA Lakers superstar ‘feels like a video game’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 7:39 AM ET

Deandre Ayton has one player in mind when looking at his future with the LA Lakers next season.

The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed to address their weakness at the center position. After their humiliating playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers knew that they didn’t have the pieces at the position to compete.

Coming into the offseason, the Lakers were interested in Walker Kessler, Clint Capela, and Brook Lopez, thinking they could land any of them via a trade or free agency.

However, Capela joined the Houston Rockets, and Lopez signed with the LA Clippers. As for Walker Kessler, the Lakers never made a serious inquiry for him.

Instead, the Lakers made a shrewd move, signing Deandre Ayton to a $16 million contract. It appears the front office has many fans. In fact, head coach JJ Redick was very complimentary of Ayton years ago.

But upon arriving on the Lakers, Ayton is excited to team up with a generational superstar for the first time in his career.

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Deandre Ayton thrilled to play with ‘super ripped’ Luka Doncic

Deandre Ayton had his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday evening. The former #1 overall pick addressed teaming up with Luka Doncic.

Ayton said he briefly spoke with Luka Doncic, but the prospect of teaming up with Luka feels like a video game. He added that Doncic is working hard on his fitness, and he is happy to finally be teammates with him.

“I spoke with Luka for a little bit. I’m pretty sure they’re all busy this offseason. I know Luka is handling his thing in Europe right now. Just saying hello and checking in.

“It feels like a video game… Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped, and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”

Ayton and Doncic both entered the NBA in 2018, going #1 and #3 in that year’s draft, respectively. It is rare to see two top-3 picks from the same class play together, so Lakers fans will be excited to see the pair.

Deandre Ayton says he joined LA Lakers because of Luka Doncic and LeBron James

Deandre Ayton also explained that Luka Doncic and LeBron James largely influenced the decision to join the LA Lakers.

“The teams me and my agents evaluated during that time span, I felt like the Lakers were the best fit. Being around the two best playmakers in the league… They both average about 9 assists in their career spans.

“The type of players they create with their teams. They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their role, and make them important on the floor as well.

“Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that will be big for me. Just getting me back to my full form when I used to play, just coming up and being part of the NBA Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to being around that lead to wins.”

These comments from the big man shouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, Luka Doncic actually played a big role in bringing Ayton to the Lakers.

Doncic has a solid impact on big men, as he can set them up in pick-and-roll situations. On the Lakers, Doncic elevated perennial backup Jaxson Hayes to a starting-level center.

If Doncic and James can elevate Ayton back to the levels we saw him at with the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers will become a very strong team in the West.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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