He comes with baggage, yes, but new Lakers center Deandre Ayton also comes with production. 

In a down year last season with the Blazers, Ayton still averaged over 14 points and 10 rebounds a game. He's never averaged single digits on the boards in his career, and is a pretty reliable 14-18 point-a-night scorer. He's a lob threat. He's strong in the pick-and-roll, and he can hit the offensive glass. Paired with three great playmakers in Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves there's a ton of potential for Ayton to get a lot of easy buckets. 

The questions of professionalism (a lack of it, specifically) and availability are real. They are important. But Ayton represents a massive upgrade at the center position over what the Lakers used following the Anthony Davis deal. 

With about $5 mil more to spend and some potential trade chips, the Lakers are likely not done reforming the roster. But already, they're better than the group that finished the year. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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