The Lakers have a lot of decisions to make this summer. LeBron James is the big one, obviously. But not the only one. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart both have player options, and the Lakers have to figure out who fits next to Luka Doncic. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, they’ve already got a lean on which one stays.
Woike said if he had to pick one to return, he’d go with Smart. The reasoning? The Lakers want a more traditional center for Doncic. That doesn’t sound great for Ayton.
Both guys ended up as starters this past season after getting picked up on the buyout market. Woike called that a godsend for the team as they tried to figure out what they were after the Doncic trade and what they’re going to be next year. That’s about as honest as it gets.
Ayton had a solid year. He’s not terrible. But he’s not the archetype Doncic usually thrives with. Doncic needs a big who can space the floor or roll hard to the rim, someone who can finish above it and defend the paint. Ayton is more of a finesse player. He’d rather step out for a mid-range jumper than bang bodies. That works in some systems. Not necessarily this one.
Smart, on the other hand, gives them defense and toughness. He’s not a star but he’s a connector. The Lakers have talked about getting younger and more athletic, and Smart fits that description a little better than Ayton.
Now, if Ayton picks up his option, the Lakers still have him on the roster. They could trade him or bench him if they find a better center on the market. Free agency opens June 30. That’s not far away. The Lakers have to act fast if they want to shape this roster around Doncic the right way.
Whatever happens, it’s clear the front office has a plan. They just need to execute it. And that starts with a decision on Ayton and Smart.
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