Redick Talks Ayton's Struggles 'Catching The Ball' After Lakers Lose to Thunder Without LeBron, Luka

The Los Angeles Lakers struggled mightily without the services of LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in a 123-87 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, and Lakers head coach JJ Redick specifically addressed the shortcomings of center Deandre Ayton.

Speaking to reporters after the one-sided loss (beginning at the 1:51 mark of the video), Redick gave his take on what is ailing Ayton from an on-court perspective:

"He's having trouble catching the ball," Redick said. "So, we ran a bunch of plays for him. He's just had trouble catching the ball. I don't know if that's the passing or if it's him trying to get position. He just hasn't been able to catch the ball."

Ayton finished with just three points on 1-of-4 shooting on Tuesday, to go along with three rebounds, one block and one turnover in 23 minutes of action.

Thunder-Lakers Highlights

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After poor interior play contributed heavily to their first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, the Lakers signed Ayton to a two-year, $16.21 million contract in free agency, including a player option for 2026-27.

The 27-year-old veteran originally went first overall to the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA draft, and he spent his first five NBA seasons in Phoenix before two with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Before joining the Lakers, Ayton always had solid statistical output, averaging a double-double in each of his first seven NBA seasons.

However, Ayton delivered empty numbers at times, and there have long been questions about the 7-footer's effort.

Ayton has started all 69 games he has appeared in for the Lakers this season, but he has set career lows in points per game (12.2), rebounds per game (8.0) and minutes per game (27.1).

Redick doesn't really have any other viable options at center, which explains why he continues to utilize him at a fairly consistent clip.

While Ayton's issues can often be shielded when James, Dončić and Reaves are in the lineup, that isn't the case right now, as James was rested against OKC as a precaution, while both Dončić and Reaves are out injured.

Despite his status as a former No. 1 overall pick, Ayton has never established himself as a go-to guy in the NBA, and if the Lakers need him to be that for them come playoff time, it could lead to another early exit for Los Angeles.