THE TAKE
If you're the Lakers, you almost have to get DeAndre Ayton out of your locker room because of the negative effect he will have on other players due to his flagrant lack of urgency in how he plays.
BOLDNESS
52/100
GRADE
52/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
DeAndre Ayton
GRADING CRITERIA
TRUE IF
the Lakers trade, waive, or otherwise remove Ayton from the roster within the same offseason or before the following season's training camp. Partially TRUE if Ayton's role is dramatically reduced or if credible reports confirm the Lakers are actively seeking to move him.
FALSE IF
Ayton remains on the roster in a normal rotation role with no credible reports of the team attempting to move him.
hot takevagueunfalsifiable
OUTCOME
PARTIALLY TRUEAs of June 30, 2026 (the resolution deadline), Ayton has opted INTO his $8.1M player option and technically remains on the Lakers roster. However, the Lakers have openly pursued a center upgrade all offseason, Luka Doncic has publicly demanded an A-list center, and credible reports (ESPN's McMenamin, NBC Sports' Helin) confirm the Lakers are actively seeking to trade Ayton. He has not been waived or traded yet, but the situation strongly aligns with the 'partially TRUE' criteria of credible reports confirming the team is actively seeking to move him.