The Los Angeles Lakers have long been associated with dominant and hardworking big men who defined entire eras of the franchise.
From the legendary presence of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before the turn of the century to the overwhelmingly physical dominance of Shaquille O'Neal and the skill versatility of Pau Gasol in the years that followed, the position has carried immense expectations in L.A.
Deandre Ayton was never expected to be in that category, but he was seen as a missing piece in the paint when the Lakers brought him in this past summer.
However, after averaging just 12.6 points per game and playing really inconsistently, the 27-year-old is clearly struggling to meet those expectations, prompting Shannon Sharpe to sternly criticize Ayton for failing to fulfill the most basic expectations the team has from him.
He also proclaimed Ayton as the primary reason for the Lakers' inability to contend in the West.
When Ayton recently expressed his frustration with the Lakers wanting to operate him as a mere pick-and-roll running threat like Clint Capela and not using his offensive versatility, many expected him to unleash his best form.
However, after logging games with points in single digits in nine of his previous 16 games, Ayton failed miserably against the Denver Nuggets when he picked up a knee soreness and was ruled out of a high-stakes contest, whilst scoring no points.
These struggles prompted Sharpe to offer blunt criticism of the center's performance and overall impact. Not only did the former NFL star firmly claim that Ayton can never be part of the winning culture (as his stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns have indicated), but he even exclaimed how the Lakers players seem thrilled whenever Jaxson Hayes replaced Ayton on the court.
"This man had the nerve to say, 'They trying to turn me into Clint Capela.' We don't want you. I don't care who you become. Just don't be Deandre Ayton . I don't care, you can be Acapella, just don't be Deandre Ayton because that's the guy that's getting them killed. You notice the energy picks up when they bring Jaxson Hayes into the ball game. This man? He's missing layups, he's missing assignments, he doesn't have any idea ," Sharpe said on his "NightCap Show."
" His energy just brings everything down ."
The criticism becomes even more significant considering the Lakers' roster construction. With the dynamic and young backcourt duo of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic , the team not only needs a pick-and-lob threat that can elevate their playmaking skills, but someone who can anchor their defense and physically outmuscle other dominant big men in the league by being the ultimate enforcer.
At the moment, Ayton appears to be falling short of those responsibilities. It's safe to say his inconsistency, along with his lack of being physically dominant, has already led to debates about whether he truly fits into the team's long-term plans.
Consequently, as the offseason approaches, it would not be surprising if one of the franchise's first major priorities involves searching for a more reliable center who can better complement the team's backcourt and help restore the dominant interior identity that has historically defined the Lakers organization.
Related: "I'm not no Clint Capela" - Deandre Ayton is not happy with his role in Los Angeles
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
