Introduction
Deandre Ayton has been one of the more intriguing big men in the NBA over the past few seasons. As the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, he has shown flashes of dominance, particularly on the boards and interior scoring. But his journey over the past few seasons has been turbulent — trades, injuries, and questions about his role have loomed large.
In this article, we will explore:
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His preseason performance in 2025
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His recent trade / contract moves and what they mean
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Whether Deandre Ayton is expected to play tonight
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What to look for in his role, upside, and potential pitfalls
Let’s dig in.
1. Preseason Stats & Early Impressions (2025)
Preseason stats are always a bit noisy — limited minutes, experimental lineups, and players getting back into rhythm. But they offer a sneak peek into how a player is adjusting to a new role or system.
Recent Preseason Game: Lakers vs Suns (Oct 3, 2025)
In his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton had a modest stat line:
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1 point (0/2 FG, 1/2 FT)
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8 rebounds
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2 blocks
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1 assist
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1 steal
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Played ~18 minutes of action
The Lakers lost 103–81 to Phoenix, with many of their stars (LeBron James, Luka Dončić) sitting out for rest.
On the bright side, the rebound and block numbers show that Ayton still exerts his presence in the paint. But offensively, he was very quiet, not touching the scoring side much.
Broader Preseason / Shooting Stats
According to Fox Sports, Ayton’s preseason shooting stats (as of now) show:
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Games (GP): 1 (with Lakers)
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Minutes per game (MPG): ~18.0
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Points per game (PPG): ~1.0
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Field goal percentage and shooting volume are extremely limited given the small sample size
Because he just started with the Lakers, there’s very little benchmark data in this current preseason. But we can contrast with past performances to get context.
Historical Preseason / Past Years
From his career trends:
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Ayton has been a consistent rebounder and rim presence throughout his career (regular season averages often 10+ boards per game).
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His scoring efficiency inside the paint has been strong — but his offensive usage has depended on team context (i.e. how many other high-usage perimeter players are in the same roster).
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In prior preseason stints (with Portland or Phoenix), his usage and shot attempts were higher; this current stat line is more a function of limited run and acclimation.
Given the early stage, we should be cautious about drawing big conclusions. What stands out is that Ayton is still physically present on defense, but finding his place in the offense will take time. Deandre Ayton preseason stats.
2. Trade / Contract / Team Changes & Role
To understand where Ayton stands now, we need to trace his recent movement in the league ecosystem.
Buyout from Portland & Free Agency
In June 2025, the Portland Trail Blazers and Deandre Ayton reached a buyout deal, releasing him from the final year of his contract.
At the time, Ayton was owed approximately $35 million on that contract.
This move allowed Ayton to enter free agency and seek a fresh start.
Signing with the Lakers
Soon after clearing waivers, Ayton signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Some reports suggest the value is around $16–16.6 million, and the deal includes a player option for the second year.
The signing has been regarded by some analysts as one of the standout offseason acquisitions for 2025.
Why Did Portland Release Ayton?
There are a few factors:
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The Blazers had an overload of big men. They had drafted young centers recently, including Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, and already had veterans like Robert Williams III.
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Ayton’s injury history (notably in Portland) also played a part; he missed time with a left calf issue.
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Behavioral / chemistry concerns have been mentioned in media circles — tardiness, locker room conflicts, issues with consistency — though these are harder to verify definitively.
Expected Role in Los Angeles
Given the Lakers’ roster, Ayton is unlikely to be the primary offensive option. But he is expected to:
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Provide rim protection, screen-setting, and interior rebounding
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Operate as a “roll man” or lob threat in pick-and-roll sets with superstars like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves
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Serve as a stabilizing presence in the paint—a role the Lakers needed to bolster after lacking dominant centers in previous seasons
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Accept a more complementary role rather than a “go-to scorer” gig
In his media appearances, Ayton has acknowledged that this might be his biggest opportunity and his last best chance to prove himself at the highest level.
He has also publicly emphasized that he will embrace whatever role the team asks of him — scoring, defense, rebounding. Deandre Ayton preseason stats.
3. Is Deandre Ayton Playing Tonight?
As of latest updates:
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The Lakers’ matchup in the preseason vs Phoenix featured Ayton on the floor for ~18 minutes.
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There is currently no public indication that he is injured or unavailable for further games.
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However, given it’s preseason, coaches often rest key players or experiment with rotations.
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Per NBA.com injury reports, Ayton had past calf issues, but those do not appear to be currently active.
Thus, unless otherwise noted by the Lakers’ official injury/out status release, it is likely he is eligible to play tonight. But confirmation should come from official team sources or the pregame injury report.
If you like, I can check in real-time closer to tip-off to confirm his status. Deandre Ayton preseason stats.
4. What to Watch & Future Outlook
Given his new setting, here are aspects to monitor with Ayton:
Consistency & Conditioning
One of the concerns surrounding Ayton is how durable and consistent he can be. Injuries have cut into his availability, and adjusting to a new system may cause some growing pains.
Shot Volume & Offensive Touches
Will Ayton get enough touches in the post, pick-and-rolls, or high-percentage rolls to make an offensive impact? The Lakers have many scoring options, so balance is key.
Defensive Impact & Rim Protection
His rim protection, defensive rotations, and rebounding will likely be his major value-add. If he anchors the interior and keeps the paint honest, that gives LeBron, Luka, and others more freedom.
Chemistry & Team Fit
Given his past narrative, establishing good locker room chemistry will be important. If Ayton can smoothly accept his complementary role, it could help him thrive.
Breakout Potential
If he can string together consistent performances, he still has the upside to be among the more dominant bigs in the league, especially given his physical tools and efficiency near the rim. Deandre Ayton preseason stats.
FAQs
Q1: What are Deandre Ayton’s latest preseason averages?
A: As of now, he has played one game with the Lakers, logging ~18 minutes and putting up 1 point, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 assist.
Q2: Why did Portland buy out Ayton’s contract?
A: The Blazers had an excess of big men, including young centers, and Ayton’s injury history and chemistry concerns reportedly factored into the decision.
Q3: How much did Ayton sign for with the Lakers?
A: Around $16–16.6 million for two years, with a player option in the second year.
Q4: Is Ayton expected to start or be a backup?
A: He is likely to start or at least receive starter-level minutes, but in a supporting role rather than being the primary option. It depends on matchups and rotations.
Q5: Will Ayton play tonight?
A: There is no known injury or ruling against him as of now, so yes, he is eligible. But final confirmation comes from the Lakers’ pregame report.
Q6: What’s a realistic expectation for Ayton this season?
A: Averages in the neighborhood of 10–15 points, 8–11 rebounds, and ~1–1.5 blocks per game would be a solid outcome if he is consistent and healthy.
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