The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers took divergent paths in the offseason, and the early returns from their respective free agency decisions couldn’t be more telling. While the Warriors secured veteran big man Al Horford to bolster their championship aspirations, the Lakers gambled on Deandre Ayton, a move that’s already drawing scrutiny after a lackluster debut. Tuesday night’s season opener laid bare the wisdom of Golden State’s choice—and the potential misstep by their rivals.
Deandre Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, stepped onto the court as the Lakers’ starting center with high expectations. However, his performance against the Warriors was anything but inspiring. In nearly 34 minutes, Ayton managed just 10 points and six rebounds, taking a mere seven shots and coughing up four turnovers. His inability to exploit Golden State’s smaller defense was glaring—entry passes into the post were routinely stripped, and any semblance of pick-and-roll chemistry with superstar Luka Doncic was conspicuously absent.
Defensively, Ayton was equally ineffective, offering little resistance in a role where the Lakers once relied on the dominant presence of Anthony Davis. The 27-year-old’s lackluster showing drew sharp criticism, most notably from Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal on Inside the NBA. “We need you, brother, you gotta step it up,” O’Neal said. “That performance you had yesterday was terrible. Come on, Deandre, you gotta step it up. Rebound, block shots, dominate.”
Ayton’s underwhelming start is particularly damning given his status as a free agent coup for the Lakers. After being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers in late June, Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal, with a player option for the second year. The Lakers hoped he’d fill the void left by Davis, but his debut suggests they may have overestimated his ability to deliver under pressure.
In contrast, the Warriors’ decision to pursue Al Horford looks like a masterstroke. At 39 years old and in his 19th NBA season, Horford may not have dazzled in his Golden State debut, but he didn’t need to. His steady, two-way play and veteran savvy were exactly what the Warriors sought when they signed him to a two-year, $12 million deal following a drawn-out free agency process with Jonathan Kuminga. Like Ayton, Horford’s contract includes a player option for next season, but his impact is already proving more reliable.
Horford’s ability to stretch the floor, facilitate from the high post, and hold his own defensively makes him a seamless fit for Golden State’s system. His experience in high-stakes playoff environments—something Ayton has yet to prove he can handle—gives the Warriors a clear edge as they chase another title. The fact that Horford came at a lower cost than Ayton only sweetens the deal for Golden State.
The Warriors had their own center concerns entering the offseason, and Ayton’s availability after his buyout from Portland sparked speculation that Golden State might pursue the seven-footer. Instead, they sidestepped the temptation, opting for Horford’s proven consistency over Ayton’s unfulfilled potential. Tuesday’s game underscored why. While Ayton struggled to make an impact, Horford quietly contributed to a Warriors squad that looks poised to compete at the highest level.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are left grappling with the reality of Ayton’s inconsistent track record. Despite his undeniable talent, the former top pick has yet to live up to the lofty expectations set for him, and his debut in purple and gold did little to change that narrative. As the Warriors watch from afar, they can take solace in knowing they avoided a free agency trap that the Lakers walked right into.