Deandre Ayton is embarking on a new phase in his NBA journey by joining the Los Angeles Lakers. After spending two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, the former number one overall draft pick has now signed a two-year contract worth $16.6 million with the Lakers—a deal considered a major bargain.
Back in 2018, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal shared a memorable piece of advice with Ayton shortly after he was drafted. Although Ayton was often compared to Shaq due to his position and potential, O’Neal encouraged him not to aim to be the “next Shaq,” but rather to become the first Ayton and surpass all of Shaq’s records. This message was meant to inspire Ayton to carve out his own unique legacy in the NBA rather than follow in O’Neal’s footsteps.
Receiving such guidance from a Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion like Shaq is a priceless motivation for any young player. Ayton expressed how much that message meant to him, saying it fuels his drive to succeed.
As Ayton prepares to don the iconic purple and gold for his eighth NBA season, he will be playing under coach JJ Redick, who is one of his favorite figures in basketball. Over his career thus far, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 398 games, numbers that are solid but still short of Shaq’s career averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. The big question remains whether Ayton can establish his own identity and legacy as a key player for the Lakers, and time will tell.
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Fan Take: Deandre Ayton joining the Lakers is a thrilling development for basketball fans, as it pairs a young, talented big man with one of the league’s most storied franchises. If Ayton rises to the challenge and crafts his own legacy, it could reshape the future of the Lakers and add a new chapter to NBA history.
