Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Michael Wilbon picks out the LA Lakers player who will benefit most from Deandre Ayton, makes Chris Paul point

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are all set to enter the 2025-26 NBA season with Deandre Ayton as their starting center.

Deandre Ayton arrived after completing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, which allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to get him on a cheap deal.

Despite being a former No. 1 overall pick, there are a few concerns around Ayton. For instance, Bill Simmons made a soap opera prediction about the Lakers’ upcoming season.

Similarly, ESPN’s Michael Wilbon also has a couple of concerns around Ayton’s fit on the current roster of the Lakers.

Feb 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) calls out in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Wilbon says Deandre Ayton will benefit Luka Doncic

The 2025-26 season will be Ayton’s eighth year in the NBA. Obviously, many opinions have already been formed about the 26-year-old.

However, there is still hope that Ayton can make a name for himself in LA with his defensive capabilities. The same ability that was questioned by Wilbon on ‘Pardon The Interruptions.’

“It improves the Lakers, and it probably does more specifically for Luka Doncic than LeBron [James].

“Doncic is vocal and has been in management situations when he played in Dallas and now the Lakers,” Wilbon said.

He added: “Ayton’s defense is spotty. He can be a rim defender. He can be a lot of things, but he can also just take nights off.”

While Wilbon believes Ayton has the talent to be an elite defender, the ESPN expert still doubts his work ethic. This has been the common narrative around Ayton throughout his career.

In fact, even Tim MacMahon labeled Ayton as a ‘talented doofus’ ahead of his debut season with the Purple and Gold.

Michael Wilbon thinks Luka Doncic needs to take Chris Paul’s approach with Deandre Ayton

The mark of a talented point guard is elevating the players on the roster. Wilbon pointed out that ability of Chris Paul when the Phoenix Suns reached the 2021 NBA Finals.

Ayton was part of that roster, and Wilbon firmly believes, CP3 pushed him to his limits during that run.

“We saw that even when Chris Paul had to go the… whip hand and really press him to get them to the finals in 2021, when the Suns got there and that was the best of Ayton,” Wilbon continued.

Stats (2021 NBA Playoffs)	Deandre Ayton
Points	15.8 PPG
Rebounds	11.8 RPG
Assists	1.1 APG

“But you had Chris Paul really riding him to get there. I don’t know, is Luka that guy? Can Luka do that? LeBron can do that. But who’s going to get that out of Ayton?” Wilbon concluded.

In simple terms, Ayton’s success comes down to how much Doncic and James can push him to the limit. More importantly, does Ayton even want to work that hard? Only time will tell.

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

More must-reads: