The Lakers are Emphasizing Rebounding... and the Need for Ayton to Dominate

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers · Apr 16, 2026 · 34m

The Lakers are facing a serious talent deficit heading into the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. Their best available player is 41 years old. They don't have anyone else on the roster who has been a real number one, or even a number two. The closest thing would be Deandre Ayton, who at his best was a featured player in Phoenix who put up close to 20 a night.

Everyone knows about Ayton's inconsistencies, but the talent as a scorer is there. And over the course of this Lakers season, he's often been the difference between a good Lakers performance and a great one.

So can…