The biggest reason that led to JJ Redick not featuring Deandre Ayton revealed

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The biggest reason that led to JJ Redick not featuring Deandre Ayton revealed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

At the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were relying on Deandre Ayton to step up. He was one of the Lakers' biggest signings in the 2025 offseason, but his previous teams showcased some of his red flags.

Ayton left the Portland Trail Blazers organization after they waived him. The Lakers picked him up in the market, as they thought Luka Doncic and the rest of the team would help Ayton, but it seems some of the same problems are still there.

Redick explains the Lakers' struggles to platform Ayton​

As the head coach, JJ Redick is in charge of how the Lakers set the team up. Since Ayton is the starting center, he is a major part of the system, but it seems Redick is still looking for ways to properly platform the former #1 pick.

Everyone knows Ayton is a talented player with the right physical tools. Unfortunately, it seems Ayton continues to struggle to play consistently good basketball, which is why Redick seems to be featuring him less and less as of late.

MORE: JJ Redick provides context about spat with Jarred Vanderbilt

Ayton only played 23 minutes in the blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. He only had four shot attempts during the game, scoring only three points. That has been an unfortunate trend as of late for Ayton.

"He's having trouble catching the ball. We ran a bunch of plays for him. He's just had trouble catching the ball, and I don't know if that's the passing or him trying to get into position," Redick said about Ayton struggling in the system's new plays.

That is a major red flag for Ayton because he should be more effective. However, if he can't catch the ball properly, that is a fundamental issue.

As the Lakers progress into the Playoffs, Ayton must pick himself up and help the Lakers because he should be playing a massive role, given that he is a talented player.

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