Through the first three-fourths of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t had the best Deandre Ayton experience, and as the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers could start to look at young talent to replace the current starting center for the team.
In a recent NBA mock draft by Christopher Kline of Fansided, the Lakers were projected to add 7’3” center Aday Mara from Michigan with the 21st pick in the upcoming draft.
“The Deandre Ayton experience has predictably soured in L.A., despite his efficient scoring. Ayton simply will never buy into the Luka Dončić sidekick role the Lakers need from their center. Aday Mara just might, with upside well beyond his draft slot if everything goes to plan,” Kline wrote.
In 31 games this season at Michigan, Mara is averaging 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks on 67.3% shooting.
Lakers Predicted To Pick Aday Mara In NBA Draft As Deandre Ayton Replacement
After a relatively quiet first two college seasons at UCLA, Mara has ramped up his play this year at Michigan. He’s been manning the paint for the Wolverines, who have consistently been ranked in the top five in AP rankings all season, and are giving up just 69.1 points per game this year.
“Mara is one of the most dominant interior defenders in college basketball. He will need to stay out of foul trouble at the next level, but he moves smoothly in drop coverage and presents a significant deterrent at the rim,” Kline wrote on Mara as a prospect.
“He’s not the sort of springboard lob target you’d typically expect next to (Luka) Dončić, but Mara has soft hands and a wide frame. He can seal off defenders and score with finesse out of pick-and-rolls. His visionary passing is perhaps the most exciting skill.”
▪️19 PTS ▪️5 REB ▪️2 AST ▪️2 TAP ▪️8/9 en tiros
As it relates back to Ayton, his defensive struggles and overall minimal effort on that side of the ball have been an issue for the Lakers this season. Adding a player who can offer a ton on defense is the type of prospect Los Angeles should be looking at in the draft.
While he might not be an athletic lob threat, a player Doncic has proven to see success with in the past, putting a huge defensive anchor next to him and Austin Reaves isn’t the worst idea, and could work better than what the Lakers have seen with Ayton this season.
“There is added offensive upside with the Michigan center that goes beyond being an outlet for Doncic’s playmaking,” Svyatoslav Rovenchuk added, writing for LakeShowLife.com. “Mara is a talented passer at the frontcourt spot. That could open up an extra avenue for the Lakers to punish opposing defenses.”
Lakers Face Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes Problem
For now, the Lakers are stuck with Ayton, but amid the criticism he’s gotten and notable ‘Clint Capela’ quotes he’s dropped over the past few weeks, questions continue about his future in Los Angeles.
“They’re trying to make me Clint Capela, I’m not no Clint Capela!”
While Ayton isn’t the type of player that fits well next to Doncic, Jaxson Hayes, who is currently coming off the bench, is the exact type of player the Slovenian has proven to play well with. He’s a strong lob threat, doesn’t need the ball a lot on offense, and is a willing defender.
“Jaxson Hayes is the most reliable frontcourt option on the roster. Nothing has changed in that department,” Rovenchuck wrote in a separate article. “Unfortunately for the Lakers, the former first overall pick (Ayton) has not looked the part of a superhero. Ayton has not even sufficed as a proper sidekick.”
Additionally, Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports spoke to multiple sources around the NBA who believe the Lakers would be a better fit starting Hayes over Ayton.
“Oh there’s no doubt that they’re better off with Jaxson Hayes in there than with Deandre,” one longtime scout said. “He gets what he is supposed to be doing. He fits well with that lineup because he has good chemistry with Luka and he knows when to fill the line and when stay out of the way.”
While Ayton is only making $8.1 million for Los Angeles this season, his short tenure doesn’t feel guaranteed next season, unless he can drastically turn things around over the next month.
Whether it’s sliding up Hayes in the depth chart, going out this summer for a trade target or free agent big man, or adding someone like Mara in the draft, the Lakers could very well make changes in the frontcourt this offseason, as Ayton hasn’t been what the team had hoped for.
Lakers Linked To 7’3″ ‘Dominant’ Center As Deandre Ayton Replacement