The Los Angeles Lakers’ Offensive Struggles and Deandre Ayton’s Role

The Los Angeles Lakers have been grappling with offensive inconsistencies throughout the season, leading to internal frustrations among players and coaching staff alike. As the team continues to navigate its way through the challenges of the NBA season, head coach JJ Redick has highlighted the growing emphasis on Deandre Ayton’s role in the offense. This focus comes as the Lakers work through issues related to spacing, execution, and overall engagement.

Redick acknowledged that Ayton is experiencing frustration due to a lack of ball involvement. “He doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball,” Redick said, emphasizing the need for improvement in how the team handles situations where Ayton could be more active. He added, “There are opportunities for him to duck in at times when he’s not being active, and there are opportunities to hit him when he’s not ducked in and we’re not hitting him.”

This issue extends beyond Ayton, as Redick pointed out that it’s a collective responsibility. “It’s on everybody,” he said. “We tried to run an ATO for him, but that was one of the ATOs we didn’t run correctly.” The coach emphasized the importance of Ayton being assertive and engaged, noting that trust built over time depends on that level of commitment.

“Getting him a couple of touches before the seven-minute mark is crucial,” Redick added. His comments reflect a broader theme within the Lakers’ offense, where process and timing often lag behind intention. While the coaching staff has made efforts to involve Ayton, breakdowns in execution and spacing have limited the effectiveness of those plans in actual game situations.

From a production standpoint, Ayton has maintained solid numbers despite his frustrations. He averages 14.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 70.3% from the field. However, his shot attempts have dropped significantly, averaging 9.5 per game through 28 contests—his lowest career mark.

The Lakers’ record of 21-11 appears strong on paper, but it masks recurring issues with consistency, effort, and lineup cohesion. These struggles have become most evident on the defensive end and in physical games. The team has had difficulty protecting the paint and maintaining energy when shots aren’t falling. Ayton’s rebounding and rim presence are essential to addressing these flaws, but his impact diminishes when he’s disengaged offensively.

This dynamic was apparent in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies, where Redick opted to play Jaxson Hayes over Ayton down the stretch of the game. Such decisions highlight the need for Ayton to assert himself more effectively, especially in sealing defenders and creating passing angles.

Path Forward for the Lakers

The path forward for the Lakers is relatively clear, even if execution has yet to match the plan. The team needs to prioritize early touches for Ayton, clean up its entry passes, and hold guards accountable for involving him in the flow of the offense. At the same time, Ayton must continue to assert himself, especially in sealing defenders and creating passing angles.

If both sides meet in the middle, the Lakers have a chance to stabilize their identity and unlock a more balanced version of their roster as the season progresses. Addressing these issues will be critical for the team to move forward and achieve the consistency they’ve struggled to maintain so far this season.