Why Deandre Ayton Is Not the 'Locker Room Cancer' Rumored by Critics

In the offseason, every NBA franchise focuses on addressing any shortcomings from the previous season. However, the Golden State Warriors have largely centered their attention on Jonathan Kuminga. Most teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, actively seek enhancements. Following the February trade that sent Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Doncic, the Lakers have grappled with a significant gap at the center position. Despite the urgency of the Luka-AD swap, the Lakers struggled to compensate for the personnel gap that emerged last season.At the trade deadline, they aimed to secure Mark Williams, but the deal was derailed when he failed his physical, leading to their early playoff exit at the hands of the Timberwolves. In July, the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton for two years at $16.2 million, a significant upgrade for their center role. Olden Polynice discussed Ayton's integration on Byron Scott’s Fast Break, reflecting that Ayton’s prior issues may stem more from management than the player himself. Polynice remarked, “They gave up on him,” underscoring the complexities of his reputation.