The Lakers found a win in Memphis. More important, they may have found a better plan for their starting center — even as the front office still views the spot as a short-term fix.

That center is Deandre Ayton, the former No. 1 pick now on his third team after a Portland buyout and a summer deal with Los Angeles. After venting about limited touches, Ayton was involved early and often in the Lakers’ 120-114 road victory over the Grizzlies. The performance calmed a mini-storm and also highlighted the tightrope L.A. is walking: maximizing Ayton now while keeping its long-term options open.

Coach JJ Redick didn’t dance around it. He said Ayton was “frustrated” about not getting the ball. Redick also admitted it’s “human nature” for a big’s rebounding and energy to dip when he’s not fed. So the staff adjusted — and it showed from the opening tip.

From frustration to focus: Redick’s quick pivot pays off

Two nights earlier, Ayton had only four points on four shots with six boards and sat the fourth quarter. Against Memphis, Redick made Ayton the first option — the very first play went to him. He hit a turnaround hook, then followed with a dunk. That set the tone.

By the end, Ayton finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, eight rebounds and three blocks, including two in the fourth quarter. The Lakers, who tightened the screws late, held the Grizzlies to just 16 points in the first 10 minutes of the final period and 36.2% shooting in the second half. The response was exactly what the locker room needed.

“Feed DA early, and he pays you back on defense. It’s not rocket science.”

Short-term by design: Why L.A. is keeping options open at center

Ayton’s deal is modest for a starting big: two years, $16.2 million, with a player option for 2026–27. It’s also a clue to the Lakers’ bigger plan. As reported by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Los Angeles never truly penciled Ayton in as its long-term starting five, unlike the Mark Williams trade concept that once came close before falling apart. Expect the Lakers to be front and center on any big-man movement this summer.

That may sound harsh given how well Ayton has produced lately. Over his last 14 games, he’s averaged 12.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals in 29.7 minutes while shooting a blistering 71.6% from the field. But the front office is balancing the numbers with fit and defense. Team defense has been up and down, and rim protection is a constant priority for Redick’s scheme.

What works with Ayton — and what still worries L.A.

When Ayton runs and screens with purpose, he gives the Lakers a clean vertical target, especially with elite playmakers around him. Against Memphis, Los Angeles logged 30 assists on 38 made baskets — their highest assist rate of the season. That’s a product of flow and trust, and Ayton benefits most when the ball is zipping.

Defensively, Ayton’s fourth-quarter rim protection stood out. The Lakers’ late-game wall, punctuated by his two blocks, closed the door on multiple Grizzlies drives. Yet consistency is the question. Over his last three games, Ayton’s shot attempts have dipped to 7.0 per night and his scoring to 8.3 points, a sign that involvement still swings game to game. For Redick, the next step is locking in the defensive standard even when the touches aren’t there.

“If DA buys into being an elite finisher and protector, the rest takes care of itself.”

LeBron, Doncic and the art of keeping a big engaged

LeBron James made the locker-room message public: “I’m always looking for DA… it’s unfortunate what happened last game… we were able to make the adjustments.” That leadership matters. Bigs can’t “feed themselves,” as Ayton put it. They need guards and wings to find them early and often to spark energy on the glass and on defense.

That’s also where Luka Doncic changes the math. He leads the league at 33.7 points per game and draws 12.1 free throws per night, including a 12-of-13 showing at the line against the Grizzlies. His pressure unlocks easy finishes for a rolling big. When Ayton hits his marks, the pairing hums — drive, lob, dunk, reset. It’s simple basketball, and that’s the point.

The bigger picture: Results, reality and the summer to come

The victory pushed the Lakers to 22-11, stacking back-to-back wins after a choppy stretch. Memphis, now 15-20, felt the late clampdown. For Ayton, it was a welcome rebound after being benched in crunch time Friday. It followed a mixed run that included a 12-point/10-rebound effort in a 132-108 loss to Phoenix and a dominant 20 points (10-of-11) with 13 rebounds in a 116-114 win — his 12th double-double of the season.

Still, context matters. Redick is searching for lineups that can protect the rim, cover space and keep the offense humming. The front office, meanwhile, is signaling flexibility. With Ayton holding a player option next year, and with league-wide big man movement likely in the offseason, L.A. wants to keep every door open.

“Short-term label or not, just ride the hot hand and keep winning. That’s the job.”

Bottom line

This is the balance: Ayton’s best version helps the Lakers win now, even if the team doesn’t see him as the long-term starter at center. Redick’s move to feature him early in Memphis was smart coaching. It got Ayton engaged, it lifted the defense late and it sent a message the locker room hears — if you run, screen, and defend, we will find you.

Whether Ayton is a bridge or a pillar is a summer question. For today, he’s the big man in the middle of a contender, and when the Lakers make him part of the plan from the jump, he looks the part.