Much has been said about the beginning of Deandre Ayton's life with the Los Angeles Lakers. Brought in to stabilize center after LA struggled at the position for several seasons, Ayton has had a great season so far, at least on paper.
However, regular misses and a reluctance to adopt a defensive role are also evident, meaning a more long-term solution may still be on the cards. This brings us to the 2026 NBA Draft and the Lakers' No. 21 pick, which ESPN believes the franchise could use to draft Arizona Wildcats center Motijes Krivas.
Krivas is expected to be one of the many centers to be selected in the 20-40 range in the upcoming draft. However, he has established himself as a regular contributor to his team, averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and assists in 31 games.
Standing at 7-foot-2, Krivas is an imposing interior presence and has exactly the type of defensive mentality the Lakers need. Averaging 8.2 rebounds per game, the Wildcats star is fundamentally sound on both ends of the court.
He is a highly efficient shooter who converts nearly 80% of his free throws and has all the ingredients to immediately become a role player on a contending team. Of course, that doesn't mean L.A. can insert him straight into the starting lineup.
The Lakers could consider adding him as a rotational option alongside Ayton and Jackson Hayes, and he would have a long-term prospect that could even exceed expectations. As far as Ayton is concerned, the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves also provided evidence of motor fluctuations.
Ayton dominated early on, attacking Rudy Gobert in the paint and recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds by halftime. Yet the second part tells a completely different story. Ayton added only 2 points and one steal over the final two quarters, once again showing the kind of inconsistency that has come to define his tenure with the Lakers.
