<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-adou-thiero-dodger-stadium');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Deandre-Ayton-2.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-10T04:27:04-07:00">August 10th, 4:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-10T04:27:45-07:00">August 10th, 4:27am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a slow a start, the Los Angeles Lakers have made multiple moves to strengthen the roster this offseason. While the additions of Adou Thiero and Jake LaRavia offer depth and scoring, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-eye-opening-reason-behind-la-decision">DeAndre Ayton is potentially a long-term solution at the Center</a>. </p><p>All three of the brand-new Lakers were at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays, and even took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the annual Lakers Night celebration. The Lakers’ official X handle <a href="https://x.com/Lakers/status/1954357107970683047" rel="noopener">posted a series of pictures of the three stars</a>, all wearing Dodgers jerseys with their own names on the back. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">DA, Adou, and Jake reppin’ LA 💙 <a href="https://t.co/kLm4irv4s1">pic.twitter.com/kLm4irv4s1</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1954357107970683047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The three stars also wore their own Lakers numbers on the back. Ayton wore the No. 5, Thiero wore No. 1, while LaRavia attended the event wearing a No. 12 jersey.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our newest Lakers are at <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> stadium! <a href="https://t.co/lqHCfEEN5e">pic.twitter.com/lqHCfEEN5e</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1954350288305058005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Ayton, LaRavia, and Thiero not only delivered the ceremonial pitches but also joined in the tradition of leading the crowd with the iconic <i>“It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!”</i> rallying cry. However, before that, the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even offered the Lakers stars pitching pointers before they stepped onto the mound. </p><p>The event took place just a day after Kobe Bryant was honored at the stadium with a special bobblehead and a first pitch thrown by his daughter Bianka. The Dodgers are the defending World Series champions and seem on track for another title. The game started in competitive fashion before turning into a rout.</p><p>Blake Snell was dominant for the Dodgers, striking out 10 over five shutout innings. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-shohei-ohtani-joins-40-home-run-club-center-field-moonshot">Shohei Ohtani’s 40th homer of the season</a> and a Max Muncy blast accounted for the early damage, but it was the Jays’ inability to contain the bottom of the Dodgers’ order that turned a competitive game into a rout. Certainly an entertaining first piece of action for the Lakers in attendance as well.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-gilbert-arenas-insinuates-lebron-james-exit-blowing-off-deandre-ayton');   ga('set', 'title', 'Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lakers-LeBron-James-likely-extension.jpg"><figcaption>© Matt Blewett-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-11T09:02:45-07:00">July 11th, 9:02am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-11T09:02:45-07:00">July 11th, 9:02am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas has stirred <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-shams-charania-lebron-james-mindset-impasse">speculation around LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers</a>, suggesting the 40-year-old star could be on his way out of the franchise following an apparent lack of communication with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-paul-pierce-has-questions-deandre-ayton-value">newly signed center Deandre Ayton</a>.</p><p>On the latest episode of Gil’s Arena, Arenas pointed to the fact that Ayton did not receive a welcome message from James after joining the Lakers, while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-welcome-text-luka-doncic">Luka Doncic reportedly did reach out to Ayton</a> following the signing.</p><p>“Go ahead and say it man, ‘I ain’t texting this [expletive] that I ain’t playing with. I don’t even know if I’m on this team,’” Arenas said, implying James’ silence could reflect uncertainty about his involvement with the team moving forward.</p><p>When co-host Nick Young teased Arenas for his critical tone toward James, Arenas responded by suggesting that the dynamic has shifted.</p><p>“We don’t know if he’s going to be here,” Arenas said. “If he’s not going to be here then it goes back to normal. If you’re a Laker you’re protected. If you’re not a Laker you’re just on out there.”</p><h2><b>Gilbert Arenas questions LeBron James’ future with Lakers as they retool around Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lebron-james-and-luka-doncic-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the commentary, James has already opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, confirming his return for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign. He finished his 22nd season averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal per game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three across 70 appearances. He logged 34.9 minutes per game.</p><p>The Lakers, however, are undergoing a significant roster transition. Doncic, acquired at the trade deadline in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-1-factor-that-allowed-la-to-not-trade-farm-for-luka-doncic">blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks</a>, is now the focal point of the organization. The team also added Ayton, who signed a two-year, $8.1 million deal after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.</p><p>Ayton, 26, is expected to anchor the frontcourt next to Doncic and provide interior presence on both ends of the floor. The former No. 1 overall pick cited Doncic ’s playmaking ability as a key reason for joining the Lakers, according to a report from HoopsHype.</p><p>Head coach JJ Redick enters his second season as the team continues to shift toward a younger core, even as James remains on the roster. While James has committed to playing the upcoming season, Arenas’ remarks highlight ongoing questions about his long-term outlook with the franchise.</p><p>With training camp approaching, the Lakers are expected to solidify rotations around Doncic, Ayton, and James. The team continues to explore additional roster moves as it prepares for the 2025–26 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-draws-nikola-jokic-comp-the-herd');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Denver-Nuggets-center-Nikola-Jokic-15-controls-the-ball-as-Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Deandre-Ayton-2-guards-in-the-first-quarter-at-Ball-Arena.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-10T17:36:54-07:00">July 10th, 5:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-10T17:36:54-07:00">July 10th, 5:36pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Deandre Ayton and Nikola Jokic are two talented big men in the NBA. However, one analyst <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">believes the new Los Angeles Lakers center</a> should be in the same class as the Denver Nuggets superstar as well as Milwaukee Bucks sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p><p>Jason McIntyre appeared on a July 10 edition of Fox Sports’ The Herd show with host Colin Cowherd. It was there that he expressed in a section about why Ayton <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943405681232744959" rel="noopener">should be in the same spotlight</a> as Jokic and Antetokounmpo.</p><p>“Deandre Ayton, through his first 7 seasons, is a top 8 center in the league… He was obviously in Portland, so nobody paid attention,” McIntyre said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Deandre Ayton, through his first 7 seasons, is a top 8 center in the league… He was obviously in Portland, so nobody paid attention.”</p><p>Jason McIntyre says Deandre Ayton is in the same class as players like Nikola Jokic and Giannis 👀</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHerd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheHerd</a>)<a href="https://t.co/zi5vlKVPUe">pic.twitter.com/zi5vlKVPUe</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943405681232744959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>What lies ahead for Deandre Ayton, Lakers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Deandre-Ayton-2-reaches-for-a-pass-in-front-of-Los-Angeles-Lakers-guard-Max-Christie-12-in-the-first-half-at-Crypto.com-Arena.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A bold statement for Jason McIntyre to make about Deandre Ayton, who hasn’t been in the same spotlight as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p><p>While Jokic and Antetokounmpo have broken records en route to winning championships in 2021 and 2023, Ayton has been in limbo with his level of play. While the numbers are still solid, he hasn’t showed that he can be consistent as one of the best centers in the league.</p><p>Which is where his beginning with the Lakers comes in. It presents a big opportunity for him to gain chemistry with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. They are superstars who won’t hesitate to create scoring chances for their new teammate to flourish with. Since he will be the best center on the squad, Ayton has the biggest chance to dominate on the court.</p><p>In 95 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 56.9% from the field and 75.5% from the free-throw line.</p><p>Ayton will look forward to his time with the Lakers. He seeks to help them make their case as title contenders for the 2025-26 campaign.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-channing-frye-unloads-luka-doncic-deandre-ayton-duo-defensive-woes');   ga('set', 'title', 'Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton-1.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-10T09:07:22-07:00">July 10th, 9:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-10T09:07:22-07:00">July 10th, 9:07am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>ESPN analyst Channing Frye isn’t confident in the Los Angeles <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-in-disbelief-teaming-luka-doncic">Lakers’ new Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton pairing</a>, and didn’t hold back in his concerns over their defensive approach. Frye started his take by questioning the two veterans’ abilities to defend the pick-and-roll and how he believes it’ll be an ongoing issue throughout the 2025-26 campaign.</p><p>Frye <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE-UZQG6Jy0&amp;t=2195s" rel="noopener">discussed his take</a> on the Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton, per the Road Trippin’ podcast.</p><p>“We could get into details, and I’m going to be quick. The Luka Doncic/Deandre Ayton screen and roll; that’s barbecue chicken,” Frye said. “That’s one of the worst ones in the NBA. So, unless they want to address that.”</p><p>When his co-host Richard Jefferson asked to clarify on which end of the ball he was referring to, Frye unloaded on the Lakers’ projected defense with Ayton added to the mix.</p><p>“Defensively gross. Oh, and offensively, if he’s not committed to being an every single time run to the rim guy, it’s going to look even worse.”</p><p>Add another gallon of doubt into Ayton’s tank as the 2018 first overall pick has heard plenty of doubt about what he can bring to the Lakers, who are coming off back-to-back first-round exits in the playoffs. Still, Ayton’s excited for the opportunity of teaming up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and is <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521" rel="noopener">using the public’s criticism as motivation</a>.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold. And it’s a platform I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"It fuels me… I can show what I really am and be around some greats.”</p><p>Newest Laker Deandre Ayton when asked about the criticisms surrounding him 👀</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/khobi_price?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@khobi_price</a>)<a href="https://t.co/S0DtDtkqvI">pic.twitter.com/S0DtDtkqvI</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Deandre Ayton fires back at critics doubting Lakers’ offseason</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-guard-Luka-Doncic_aee097.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Channing Frye watched Lakers center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">Deandre Ayton fire back at his critics</a>, doubting the magnitude of the Lakers’ offseason signing. For those questioning Ayton’s ability to make a significant impact in 2025-26, they may want to reconsider Deandre excitement in teaming up with Luka Doncic.</p><p>“Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate,” said Ayton. “Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped, and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”</p><p>Ayton is eager to prove his doubters wrong.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-paul-pierce-has-questions-deandre-ayton-value');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paul Pierce has questions about Deandre Ayton’s value to Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NBA-analyst-Paul-Pierce.jpg"><figcaption>Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Paul Pierce has questions about Deandre Ayton’s value to Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-09T16:14:56-07:00">July 9th, 4:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T17:20:05-07:00">July 9th, 5:20pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>NBA analyst Paul Pierce didn’t hold back in sharing his honest thoughts on how close the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-rob-pelinka-lays-out-what-deandre-ayton-brings-to-la">Deandre Ayton signing brings them to being title contenders</a>. Pierce had a bigger name in mind for the Lakers’ offseason. However, those All-Star players, such as Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokić and Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, are unavailable this offseason.</p><p>While trading for Ayton fills a much-needed void at center for the Lakers, Pierce isn’t confident that the one move alone pushes the Lakers <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943072286044754297" rel="noopener">to be a title-contending team</a> in 2025-26.</p><p>“I’m not sure if he’s the answer in winning a championship,” Pierce said. “If you had told me they were getting the Joker or Antetokounmpo. Then, I’d think, ‘Oh, they should be the favorites.’ But since they’re getting a guy who’s still trying to find his way in the NBA, he’s been on multiple teams, this being his third team in I believe in six years of being the No. 1 pick, and not really, yet, finding a home, I’m not sure how much he pushes the needle.”</p><p>Still, Pierce expects Ayton to play well. However, will it push the Lakers into the upper echelon of the Western Conference?</p><p>“Yes, he can bring some intangibles that they need,” Pierce added. “A shotblocker, a lob threat, and a big guy in the middle are all things that the Lakers needed. So, to answer your question, what’s the Lakers’ ceiling with Deandre Ayton? Now, they’ve lost in the first round in three straight years. I think they’re still in need of more athleticism and more defense on the perimeter. I think they’re a second-round ceiling.”</p><p>Even though the Lakers are adding Ayton to a full season of All-Star LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Paul Pierce is not convinced it’s enough.</p><p>“You gotta understand: LeBron is a year older,” Pierce said. “Will LeBron play 65 or more games? That’s gotta factor into it. How healthy will Luka be? They don’t have too much depth, yet. So, if they make it to the second round with the roster as constructed, that’s a win/win.”</p><h2><b>Deandre Ayton fires back at critics on Lakers signing</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton_25055c.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">Deandre Ayton fired back at his Lakers critics</a>. However, Ayton is using the underwhelming response to his teaming up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic to his advantage ahead of next season.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time,” Ayton said. “I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold.”</p><p>The Lakers could also be on the verge of making one more offseason move.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
14.4	10.2	1.6	1.0	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
14.4	10.2	1.6	1.0	0.8

Deandre Ayton

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