The honeymoon phase is officially over. In fact, it might have ended months ago. The Los Angeles Lakers are in the thick of a championship chase, powered by the MVP-level play of Luka Dončić, but one glaring issue is threatening to derail the vibes in the locker room: Deandre Ayton.
Head coach JJ Redick has sent a loud and clear message to the front office and the roster by benching the 27-year-old center for the third consecutive game. Ayton, who signed a team-friendly but still significant two-year, $16,208,000 contract this past offseason, was brought in to be the anchor the Lakers needed. Instead, he has found himself glued to the pine, and Lakers Nation has seen enough.
The $16 Million Mistake?
When the Lakers picked up Ayton in the summer of 2025, it was viewed as a low-risk, high-reward move. The former No. 1 overall pick was looking to rehabilitate his image after a rough exit from Portland, and Los Angeles needed a legitimate big man to pair with Luka Dončić. On paper, it was a steal. A $16 million salary for a walking double-double? A no-brainer.
However, the reality has been far grim. Ayton’s effort and defensive consistency have come under fire, echoing the same criticisms that plagued him in Phoenix and Portland. His inability to protect the rim or finish through contact has frustrated the coaching staff, leading Redick to make the drastic decision to remove him from the rotation entirely during this critical stretch.
Redick Draws a Line in the Sand
JJ Redick has never been one to mince words, and his coaching style reflects that directness. By benching a player making over $16 million for three straight games—including high-profile matchups—Redick is signaling that draft pedigree and salary no longer dictate playing time in Los Angeles.
Sources close to the team suggest Redick is favoring high-energy backups like Jaxson Hayes (who recently went viral for a between-the-legs dunk) and versatile forwards who can switch on defense. Ayton’s lethargic play simply doesn’t fit the “championship habits” Redick preaches.
Lakers Fans: “Pack Your Bags”
As news of the third benching hit social media, Lakers fans wasted no time flooding X (formerly Twitter) with trade demands. The Sportskeeda report highlights a fanbase that is completely out of patience.
One viral comment summed up the mood perfectly: “Hope he gets traded in this deadline.”
Other fans were even more ruthless:
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“We have Luka Dončić in his prime and we are wasting possessions on Ayton fumbling passes. Get him gone.”
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“JJ Redick is the only coach brave enough to bench him. Now Rob Pelinka needs to be brave enough to trade him.”
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“16 million for a cheerleader. Worst signing of the summer.”
The frustration is compounded by the fact that the February 5th Trade Deadline is just over a week away. With the Lakers sitting near the top of the Western Conference, fans are desperate for a reliable center who can do the dirty work—rebound, block shots, and catch lobs from Luka—without demanding touches.
What Happens Next?
The Lakers are now in a precarious position. Trading Ayton might be difficult given his recent benching; his trade value is arguably at an all-time low. However, reports from Fadeaway World and ESPN suggest that the Lakers might not have trouble finding a replacement. The “Luka Effect” is real—veteran centers are reportedly lining up for a chance to play alongside the Slovenian magician, knowing he makes life easier for big men.
Rumors are already swirling about potential targets, including defensive specialists from rebuilding teams who could slide instantly into Redick’s starting five.
For Deandre Ayton, the clock is ticking. Unless he can convince JJ Redick in practice that he deserves another shot, his brief tenure in the Purple and Gold might be ending as a footnote in a deadline deal.
The verdict from Lakers fans is clear: The experiment failed. It’s time to move on.
