After he displayed some very concerning behavior with the Portland Trail Blazers over the last two years, Ayton has been accused of being a malcontent by critics. At his introductory press conference after signing with the Lakers, he said he wants to prove those critics wrong.

The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like a relatively more complete team with the addition of Deandre Ayton in free agency. As the players and the executives display contentment with the moves made, it is abundantly clear that the team needs reinforcements to be considered legitimate title contenders.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a clear priority going into free agency: to find a rim-protecting, lob-threat center — and that’s exactly what they got last week,