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Golden State Warriors questioned over stance on LA Lakers free agency signing Deandre Ayton, ‘never been afraid’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 6:56 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors decided not to pursue a key free agent this summer, although their track record suggests that he would have been a good fit.

After losing Kevin Looney in free agency to the New Orleans Pelicans, the only true center on the Golden State Warriors is Quinten Post.

The Dubs have long been linked to free agent Al Horford, but he is yet to agree to a deal and is contemplating retirement. If he doesn’t end up in Golden State, the Warriors’ best options would be Thomas Bryant or Bismack Biyombo, and neither of them are the high-level bigs the Warriors are accustomed to.

With all of their eggs seemingly in the Horford basket, the Warriors refused to even show interest in a premier center who ended up signing with their rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Warriors did not want to sign Deandre Ayton

After Deandre Ayton was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, the Indiana Pacers and Lakers emerged as the most logical landing spots, as both teams needed some center depth.

The Warriors also needed a traditional big to hold down the paint, although they were never interested in adding him.

While Ayton’s work ethic and motivations have been questioned throughout his career, his seven-season averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game are clearly indicative of him being a talented player, and a starting five of Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Ayton would be borderline elite.

However, the Warriors never budged on Ayton.

“My question [to sources] was, did the Warriors show any interest in Deandre Ayton, because he ticks a lot of boxes?” asked insider Monte Pool.

“And they all said no. And I thought, I would make him tell me no. He’s seven feet tall. He can shoot it. Does he come with red flags? He does. But the Warriors have never been afraid of that.”

Pool went on to list such “problematic” players like JaVale McGee, DeMarcus Cousins, Nick Young, and David West, all players with negative reputations who found success in The Bay. The same could even be said for Green, whose frequent outbursts have certainly done damage to the franchise.

Warriors trust in culture is under question

During the peak of the Warriors’ dynasty, they did not rely on high-level free agent signings. Of course, Kevin Durant is the exception, although Golden State proved that they could win without him before and after he arrived.

Aside from Durant, their biggest signing was Andre Iguodala, and before he arrived in Golden State he was a one-time All-Star, but far from the Hall of Famer he is now.

The Warriors have long been able to get the best out of their players, and it stands to reason that Ayton wouldn’t be an exception, although perhaps their tradition of making do is no longer a cornerstone of the franchise.

“The Warriors have always been firm in saying that we trust our culture, we trust our culture,” Pool continued.

“So Deandre Ayton, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t at least, as they say, kick the tires.”

In recent years, the Warriors have been linked to premier stars like Durant, Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and LeBron James, regardless of how unrealistic a pairing would be.

They are no longer scrappy, they no longer “build the right way,” and Ayton apparently doesn’t fit the mold of what they want to do, despite filling a position of need.

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

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