With the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers will need Ayton more than ever. The question is: Will he accept the role they desperately need him to play?
The Los Angeles Lakers, who will be missing Deandre Ayton for the immediate future, signed 6-foot-10 big man Drew Timme to a two-way contract.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton was injured in the first quarter Sunday when Jazz rookie Ace Bailey collided with his right knee.
After catching a lob from LeBron James in Tuesday night's game, Deandre Ayton revealed that it was the second time he has been on the receiving end of an alley-oop from James.
Playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers won at Portland on Monday night behind a combined 57 points from starters Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura and an unexpected 25-point performance from reserve guard Nick Smith Jr.
Using Friday's preseason finale as a "dress rehearsal" for next week's regular-season opener, Lakers coach JJ Redick put Gabe Vincent in the starting lineup to fill in for the injured LeBron James.
