Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka knows that new starting center Deandre Ayton can considerably raise his team's ceiling.

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

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