Ayton, who is the first player to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first seven seasons since Dwight Howard , knows he has a lot to prove. He has heard the criticism and says he's ready to use it as motivation as he attempts to amend his script alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

New Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton is using the media criticism aimed his way as fuel and motivation.

Once a key cog on a Suns team that was two wins away from winning the 2021 NBA title, Ayton admits that his time in Portland was a challenge but says the chance to play alongside Luka Doncic and