This article was originally published on www.si.com as Deandre Ayton Had One Big Reason for Wanting to Sign With the Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers are putting the pieces together for their run in the coming 2025-26 NBA season.

The Knicks could have paired Ayton with Karl-Anthony Towns in their frontcourt, with Mitchell Robinson serving as the club’s backup center. Instead, the team went in a different direction, and Ayton opted to join Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Los Angeles.

Despite the Los Angeles Lakers' hope that Deandre Ayton can solve their issues at center next season, at least one person who used to work for one of his former clubs is pessimistic about the 26-year-old making a positive impact.