Should the 2026 Lakers Keep Their 27-Year-Old Starting Center Next Season?
The Lakers' 2025–26 season concluded with a familiar disappointment. They were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals by the highly athletic Oklahoma City Thunder. While much of the analysis has centered on injuries and perimeter shooting. The key structural issue Rob Pelinka must address lies within the paint.
When Deandre Ayton initially signed with the Lakers, it was thought he would benefit greatly from LeBron James and Luka Doncic's playmaking. Now, with the Nassau native holding a pending eight-million-dollar player option for 2026–27, the front office faces a compelling strategic choice. From a value-to-cost perspective, the former Trail Blazer appears to be an excellent asset investment. After signing a two-year Mid-Level Exception deal following his Portland buyout, the 27-year-old center has offered consistent double-double production. He dominated the glass with nine rebounds per game and demonstrated efficient interior scoring when needed. Paying only eight million for a starting-quality seven-footer is a smart financial move in today’s salary cap environment.
However, box-score stats often hide deeper issues, and footage from last season shows a tough reality. Against fast-paced, space-focused offenses like OKC, Ayton’s traditional drop coverage became a weakness. When the Lakers' vulnerable point-of-attack defense allowed penetration, the 2018 first-overall pick was often pulled out of position, leaving the back line exposed. His limited lateral quickness and defensive flexibility diminished his effectiveness as a rim protector. Having the Bahamian center on the team locks the Lakers into a strict defensive setup. In a Western Conference filled with fast, skilled shooters and highly athletic ball handlers, a slow-footed defense could be a quick way to lose in the playoffs.
An offense focused on high-gravity playmakers needs vertical rim-runners who can generate authentic lob threats, drawing defenders away from the perimeter. Although Ayton is an effective finisher, he tends to favor short mid-range face-ups and hooks over explosive, hard rolls to the basket. If the former Phoenix Sun decides to stay in the final year of his contract, the Lakers shouldn't see it as a reason to keep things as they are. Instead, that valuable eight-million-dollar salary should be used as a trading tool. Whether it involves pursuing a younger, more agile shot-blocker or making a small trade deal, the Lakers need to adapt. While consistent, low-cost regular-season output is acceptable, for a franchise with a strict championship timeline, retaining Ayton is a luxury their 19th-ranked defense can't afford.
