With Yanic Konan Niederhauser returning from injury at some point in the middle of next season, and Brook Lopez likely gone with a declined team option over the summer, all that’s left of the center rotation is Isaiah Jackson. That’s nowhere close to enough to begin the year with, implying the LA Clippers will be shopping for potential fits in free agency.
There are several names they could turn their heads to, but one to avoid is Deandre Ayton(declines player option). Though he was not far off from a double-double in 72 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, which the Clippers might find impressive, he has consistency, defensive, and IQ concerns that will cause problems LA doesn’t need.
So, right as the postseason comes to an end, Ayton should immediately be crossed off the list of centers on the Clippers’ radar.
Deandre Ayton is not the center the Clippers are looking for
A traditional center, who is one that crashes the glass, hustles relentlessly, defends like there’s no tomorrow, and sets effective screens, is what the LA Clippers need over the summer. These are requirements that cannot be compromised, and when evaluating Deandre Ayton's fit, the front office will find none of them in him.
On top of that, the playoffs and pretty much his entire tenure as a Los Angeles Laker have proven that he doesn’t have the ability to produce on the offensive side of the ball consistently.
Through four games against the Houston Rockets, Ayton is averaging 11.5 points. That number would be much higher, possibly double, had the former first overall pick not disappeared in games two and three.
In fact, during those two contests combined, Ayton recorded eight points on 4-11 shooting in 60 minutes of action.
That’s horrendous, and if the Lakers didn’t have guys like LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart stepping up, Ayton would be getting criticized to the utmost extent for how he’s played.
Additionally, Ayton might have higher financial demands in free agency than he deserves. This is more of a reason to avoid him altogether, as the Clippers must spend their money frugally to capitalize on the summer.
So, instead of Ayton, some other names the Clippers must glance at that have way more boom potential are Robert Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Dayron Sharp.
They are better across the board and align with the type of roster the Clippers are looking to put together.
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