Kendrick Perkins Adds Pressure to DeAndre Ayton’s Lakers Move: “May Be His Last Shot”

Kendrick Perkins wasted no time in warning the newest Laker, DeAndre Ayton, to make the most out of this opportunity handed to him.

Kendrick Perkins Adds Pressure to DeAndre Ayton’s Lakers Move: “May Be His Last Shot”

DeAndre Ayton and Kendrick Perkins (Image by FirstSportz)

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The Los Angeles Lakers have been pondering a starting center ever since they traded their former star, Anthony Davis, in a blockbuster deal that involved Luka Doncic, in exchange for the Lakers. Throughout this past season, the Lakers struggled heavily in the center, showcasing an immediate need for that role on their roster.

As the 2025 NBA Free agency began, the Lakers were linked with many players for their starting center role. Most recently, Shams Charania reported that the Lakers signed DeAndre Ayton from the NBA free agency. With this signing, some were left satisfied, while some were left disappointed, claiming the Lakers could have done better.

Notably, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins had an interesting take reading Ayton’s career at the Lakers. Nor did he throw shade at the player, nor did he praise him. Instead, Perkins had a warning for Ayton, stating that he should make the most out of this opportunity handed to him.

He better come in with the right mindset, because this could possibly be his last shot…You’ve got your hands full. This should be a moment where you go in and check yourself and say, ‘You know what, I’m about to lock in.’ People need to see that you’re committed in doing the little things.

Kendrick Perkins said via Road Trippin Pod

It’s important to note that Ayton would have never been a Laker. Why? Because during the February Trade market deadline, the Lakers had almost signed the Charlotte Hornets’ center, Mark Williams. However, the move failed to materialize.

This led to the Lakers being without a center throughout the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. It was also one of the major reasons they were knocked out early in the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kendrick Perkins had a harsh take on DeAndre Ayton just days before he was announced as a Laker

A few days ago, ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported that, unexpectedly, the Portland Trail Blazers decided to buy out DeAndre Ayton’s contract. This led to many NBA teams circling Ayton to sign the center, with the Lakers being his touted destination. Interestingly, before Ayton was signed as a Laker, Kendrick Perkins slandered Ayton’s mentality on the First Take show.

The word around the league is not good about Deandre Ayton–ight now he’s been labeled as a diva, as a cancer in the locker room. He has to change a lot about himself or he will find his career being shortened.

Kendrick Perkins said

Perkins is known for his unusual and controversial takes on former and current NBA players. However, his recent remarks regarding Ayton do make sense, given the performances the player has put in over the last few years in the league. Not only that, there have also been reports regarding Ayton’s ‘bad character,’ something the Lakers will have to look into.

NBA insider proposes an interesting trade involving Andrew Wiggins and the Lakers

According to Jovan Buha, Rob Pelinka may find Andrew Wiggins to be the most feasible trade target, considering their recent pursuit and the current situation. DeAndre Ayton and Jake LaRavia were signed, but they might not be enough to compete at the greatest level and recover.

I think Wiggins is the best wing available, realistically with/ the Lakers’ assets. I wouldn’t want to give up [Dalton] Knecht and a first for Wiggins—but I’d give up either one. If you could do Rui [Hachimura], Maxi [Kleber], and Knecht or Rui, Maxi & a first for Wiggins, I’d do either one of those trades.

Jovan Buha reported via his podcast
Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins (Credits: MARCA)

Buha has previously stated that the Lakers are interested in signing the Miami Heat forward/guard.
However, he also noted that the Lakers would not be able to meet their demands for Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, and a first-round pick for the former NBA champion. So it will be intriguing to watch how the Lakers deal with the Heat in the coming days if they were to sign Wiggins in a trade deal.

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