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"He's got to be a hunter" - James Worthy thinks Kobe Bryant would fix Deandre Ayton
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- "He's got to be a hunter" - James Worthy thinks Kobe Bryant would fix Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA draft. And yet, he's been overshadowed by so many guys from that draft class.
Five players selected in that year's draft have already earned multiple All-Star game appearances, including four with at least one All-NBA selection. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , who was picked 11th overall, even won the regular-season MVP before leading his Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship while earning a Finals MVP award.
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Meanwhile, since making the All-Rookie first team in 2019, Ayton has not added another accolade to his resume. Instead, he will play for his third team in eight years next season when he suits up for the Los Angeles Lakers . According to James Worthy , this may be the last chance for him to be a star in the NBA.
"Ayton, we talked about peaking at a certain age. And I think that he knows that if he doesn't, you know, he's going the other way," said Worthy.
Ayton has not taken his game to the next level
Ayton showed plenty of promise during his rookie season, averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game and finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Luka Doncic and Trae Young . However, while he's averaged a double-double in each of the next six seasons, he has not taken his game to the next level like Gilgeous-Alexander, Doncic, Young, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jalen Brunson , who were all drafted after him in 2018.
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Last season, Ayton played in only 40 games in his first full season with the Portland Trail Blazers . His scoring dipped to 14.4 points per game, matching a career low, while his 10.2 rebounds per game marked the second-lowest average of his NBA career. That's why many have already given up on him becoming an elite-level player.
"I like Ayton, don't get me wrong. I like his potential. I've seen some great things from him, his shooting touch. It just becomes a time when you have to, as my grandfather used to say, 'Let him have some gun powder.' You get him dog gun powder and make him mean, is hunting dogs. And that's what he's got to be. He's got to be a hunter. I would love if Kobe were beside him as a teammate, " added Worthy.
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Ayton's issues have never been about his talents
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins also thinks that the Lakers could very well be Ayton's last chance to prove his worth . With the weight of the purple and gold on his shoulders, it's a make-or-break moment for him to elevate his game.
"He better come in with the right mindset because this could possibly be his last s hot," said Perkins. "Forget the league. You've got a great responsibility. You're playing for one of the most historic franchises in sports. You got Magic Johnson watching you day to day. You got Big Game, James Worthy. They're watching your a-s. You got to go out there and produce, period."
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Ayton's struggles have never been about what he can or can't do on the court. They've always been about his attitude and lack of effort. That's why Worthy said he wished Kobe Bryant was still alive and playing today. His unparalleled work ethic and unmatched killer instinct would have undoubtably made an impact on Ayton.
That said, he has LeBron James by his side. So, if Ayton wants to remain among the elites, the Lakers are still his best bet to make a jump everyone knows he's talented enough to make.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
