“Fantastic at punishing mismatches”: When Lakers coach JJ Redick couldn’t stop raving about FA target Deandre Ayton in 2022 

Deandre Ayton being waived by the Portland Trail Blazers has been one of the biggest stories of the free agency so far. The big man was released from the team on Monday and has subsequently been heavily linked with the LA Lakers. In light of his possible move to Los Angeles, a clip from 2022 of Lakers coach JJ Redick praising Ayton has resurfaced.

The video showed Redick on a panel alongside Patrick Beverly and Stephen A. Smith, as they discussed Ayton’s potential. Their discussion stemmed from his performances in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

In the series, Deandre Ayton faced his fellow draft classmate Luka Doncic and was eliminated in seven games, as the Suns were ousted in the semi-finals a year after reaching the NBA Finals. The panel was divided when speaking of the center, with Beverly and Smith seemingly unimpressed with his performance.

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However, Redick was seen defending Ayton passionately, and couldn't stop raving about his "fantastic" qualities:

"Ayton's fantastic. He's fantastic at punishing mismatches in the two-man pick-and-roll with him and CP. They're the number one offensive doer among high-volume pick-and-roll players, so he is fantastic."

Redick praising Ayton's game years before moving into a coaching role makes his links to the Lakers more promising. Los Angeles needs a star center since Anthony Davis moved to Dallas, and the former Suns star could be an answer to that problem.

Furthermore, his link-up with Doncic could revitalize both their careers, as the Lakers hope to build a championship roster around LeBron James.

Report claims Deandre Ayton's "tantrums" were a reason behind Portland waiver

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft, Deandre Ayton was projected for great things in the NBA. Although playing an instrumental role in the Suns' NBA Finals run in 2021, he has been a shadow of his former self since then. Moved out of Phoenix after a reported confrontation with coach Monty Williams in 2022, the center's exit from Portland seems to be due to similar reasons.

According to a report from The Athletic, Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups grew tired of Ayton's "bad ways." The center was reportedly unpunctual for practice and team flights, and often skipped rehabilitation appointments. Additionally, his behavior after being dropped was another issue with the big man throwing fits in the locker room, according to team sources.

All of these traits were supposedly enough for Portland to waive him from the team, as they look to build their roster around young talents.

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About the author

Arian Kashyap

Arian Kashyap is a basketball journalist at Sportskeeda with over two years of experience at Essentially Sports and Spice Bite and a Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

Arian's favorite team is the Miami Heat and it’s mainly down to Dwyane Wade being his favorite player of all time. Arian loved how explosive Wade was as a player and he had all the attributes, whether that be shooting, defending or passing. Arian really liked how he won titles both with and without a dynasty behind him.

Arian has also worked with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and was the manager for a Delhi-based women’s team called Garwhal Untied. Garwhal won the Delhi league and were runners-up during his tenure.

Arian has judged essay writing competitions for the Commonwealth Students Welfare Group of India in 2023 and was a part of the U-14 team for the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools academy that qualified for the AIFF Round in 2023.

When not working or watching sports, Arian likes riding his motorcycle and reading.

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