Joined the Lakers in 2 years with 16.6 million! ESPN Rating: Lakers B+ Ayton can become a long-term choice for the team

(Original article published on July 3, author is Kevin Pelton of ESPN website, the content of the article does not represent the translator's opinion)

The Lakers signed Ayton with a two-year $16.6 million contract with Ayton

Lakers rating: B+

After reaching a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton looks very suitable for joining the Los Angeles Lakers. This is not just because he can form a tacit understanding with Luca Doncic, who is the third pick in the same year, as the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft (if the Lakers want to complete the trio, Marvin Bagley III is currently a free agent in the same class).

Aiton, who is about to turn 27, is much younger than the other centers the Lakers can choose with the full middle class exception. In fact, the Lakers' other options are 39-year-old Al Horford or 37-year-old Brooke Lopez, while Luke Connett (will be over 30) is another candidate.

If all goes well, Ayton can be the Lakers' long-term choice, not just a short-term plan like a veteran. At the same time, he can also provide Doncic with more aerial relay threats in pick-and-roll cooperation. Last season we saw that Hayes showed the importance of vertical space with Luca Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reeves as pick-and-roll holders. After the All-Star game, Hayes' shooting percentage reached 74%, and his average score per 36 minutes increased from the previous 11.8 points to 13.4 points.

However, Hayes' other skills are not enough to make him a starter, which explains why he was quickly abandoned by JJ Redick in the first round of the playoffs. In the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hayes played for more than 10 minutes and failed to get a chance to play in the decisive fifth game.

Aiton was one of the most efficient pick-and-roll finishers in the NBA during his time with the Phoenix Suns. According to GeniusIQ data tracking, he ranked third in pick-and-roll scores in both 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. However, when Ayton cooperated with the Portland Trail Blazers ball holders over the past two seasons, his pick-and-roll efficiency has dropped significantly due to poor team space. His shooting percentage dropped from 62% during the Suns to 58%.

Although Ayton is only slightly better than Hayes in rim protection, his size advantage makes him better on defensive rebounds. This will help Ayton face a playoff-level opponent.

By assigning full middle class specials to Ayton and Laravia, the Lakers have increased the number of players that Redick can trust in the playoffs from five to six. This figure includes Finney Smith, who joined the Houston Rockets after becoming a full free agent. To continue to increase this number, it depends on the development of young Lakers players, especially Kneckett, and the transfer deals during the season.

LeBron James decided to execute the new season's $52.6 million player option, rather than choosing a contract extension that could be offered to players with more than 10 years of experience. This decision provides some operational space for the Lakers to be below the lower luxury tax line, as the full middle class exception is used, which will serve as their hard salary cap. If the Lakers keep the 14-player roster and cut Milton with a non-guaranteed salary of $3 million, they can add about $5 million in salary through trades or biennial specials.

James's view of Ayton may affect his confidence in whether the Lakers have built a squad with championship strength, especially after the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers have not used their first-round picks in 2031, nor have they used potential pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032 that could have translated Claiber and Vincent's expiring contracts into more valuable players - this kind of improvement in combat is clearly what 40-year-old James wants to see.

With the current situation where the Lakers' specific plan is not clear, I think this is the right decision. If Ayton accepts the Trail Blazers buyout and signs with the Lakers on a condition that is much lower than his previous maximum salary contract, his joining will significantly increase the Lakers' playoff ceiling. This could inspire Ayton to have a level of commitment that has not been shown since helping the Suns reach the Finals in 2021.

Waiting will provide the Lakers with more information on what they need and who may become a tradable object by the trade deadline. If the Lakers are willing to put unprotected draft picks and swap rights on the negotiating table, they should be able to add a starting player at that time.

Of course, I'm not the person the Lakers need to convince. Nor is James, regardless of how many statements he and his agent Ritchie Paul make. The key turning point in the Lakers offseason will be whether Doncic decides to renew his contract before the last year of the contract. Doncic is eligible to renew his contract from August 2, and then we can truly evaluate the Lakers' decisions.

Original text: Kevin Pelton

Compiled: selu