Joining the Los Angeles Lakers is the double-edged sword of former No. 1 general pick Deandre Ayton.
On the one hand, Deandre Ayton gets the opportunity to share the game with Luka Doncic and Lebron James.
But on the other hand, if Ayton plays half-heartedly for the Los Angeles Lakers, passionate fans could crucify him and end his two-year tenure with the team early.
With that in mind, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins recently issued a key statement to Ayton ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
As a top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, there is no doubt that Ayton is a talented player, but his work ethic has often been questioned throughout his time in the league.
His poor work ethic was under the radar given Ayton’s past playing for the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers.
But playing in the bright lights of LA is a huge challenge for him. That being said, Perkins issued a statement about Ayton ahead of his La Lakers run.
“This may be his last shot, so he should have the right mindset. If you’re going to see the big names around the Western Congress?
“They want some kind of action, big blowjob. You’ve filled your hands. So this should be a moment when you go to yourself and say, ‘What do you know, I’m trying to lock in,'” Perkins said on the Road Trippin podcast.
Big Perk added: “People need to see you’re committed to doing little things. You have a huge responsibility. You play in one of the sport’s most historic franchises.”
Competition in the West is certainly immeasurable and you don’t need anything other than his A-game to succeed with the Lakers.
So far, the best version of Ayton was seen when he shared the court with Chris Paul at the Sands. CP3 had to push him to his limits to bring out that version.
But with the Lakers, Perkins believes that Ayton needs to bring that mentality because he can’t “deceive” the iconic franchise.
“You have a magical Johnson that watches you every day. You deserve James. They see your a__. You have to go there and produce,” Perkins concluded.
He concluded:
Head coach JJ Reddick appears to be on the corner of Ayton already, so that’s less of a concern for him.
But what’s left? Ayton needs to understand that. Remembering the great Shaquille O’Neal advice to him may be key to completely locking his potential in purple and gold.