The Washington Wizards traded for Deandre Ayton in the offseason to be their backup center. They gave the Los Angeles Lakers Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks to make this move. It was a small cost, but the gamble was getting Ayton to buy into a new role. Former number one overall pick hadn’t come off the bench since the bubble in 2020, but Wizards fans are already getting their answer about his investment.
DA had four points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes of action in Washington’s third preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. The four dimes were something he never did with the Lakers. He averaged just 0.8 dimes per game and never had more than three assists in a single contest. Ayton was clearly looking for shooters, and the new wrinkle shows how invested he is.
The 28-year-old is on an $8.1 million expiring contract. He is playing for a new deal and has every reason to lock in. Still, fans have seen Ayton be a score-first option for years. Monday’s preseason game against the Nets could be the start of a new version of DominAyton.
Deandre Ayton is focused on making the right play
Ayton wanted a larger offensive role with the Suns, and it was part of the reason behind his departure from the franchise that drafted him. He had a 21.3 usage percentage in Phoenix. It dipped to 20.4 in Portland and 16.7 with the Lakers. Ayton was looking to score and get his numbers in all three stops.
DA has the lowest usage on the Wizards at just 8.9 percent through three preseason games. He is averaging 4.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. The seven-footer has taken just seven shots in three games.
He isn’t taking difficult floaters or forcing the issue. Ayton is comfortable passing to the open teammate and keeping the ball moving. His work with Patrick Ewing may be paying off more than just in the post. This looks like a completely different Ayton.
Deandre Ayton could be the best backup big man in the NBA
Ayton is going to rebound and has a versatile offensive skill set. He averages 15.8 points per game on 59.9 percent shooting from the field for his eight-year NBA career. DA is difficult to stop. Now, imagine reserve big men trying to guard him and box him out.
Ayton will be an elite rebounder and even more dangerous if he’s focused on making the right play. The 28-year-old hasn’t had more than four assists in a game since 2023. It is only preseason. Maybe Monday’s game was a fluke, but for one night, he got his teammates involved instead of forcing difficult shots.
Ayton was drafted over Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018. He has all the tools and just needs to embrace his role. There are only a handful of backup centers that can match up with him. Ayton will get plenty of chances to feast and will be even more dangerous if he isn’t strictly focused on scoring.
Deandre Ayton is saying and doing all the right things
Ayton is not known for displaying a ton of emotion on the floor, but he was clearly pumped when the Nets missed a preseason free throw on Monday night. It was a meaningless play, but it shows the big man is invested in the Wizards.
Ayton told fans he was ready to embrace any role on Media Day, and he’s proving that. The big man has started in two of the three preseason games and played in a host of different lineups. Fans have seen a locked-in Ayton, who’s playing his role. That is all the Wizards can ask for.
Deandre Ayton just had four assists in a game for the first time since February 6, 2025. He didn’t do that last season with the Lakers. His short roll passing was something the big man hasn’t displayed in years. That goes to show Washington Wizards fans that he is locked in, despite being asked to come off the bench for the first time in six years.
Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr will start in the frontcourt, but Ayton could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year and be the best reserve center. All the seven-footer has to do is buy into his role. So far, he is doing just that, and the Wizards are reaping the rewards.
Add us as a preferred source on Google