The roller coaster of a season for Deandre Ayton continues with the Los Angeles Lakers. A week ago, he had a monster double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds on 85.5% shooting. But he failed to come close in the last three outings. Since his position in the team has been debated, the injury news before the Golden State Warriors only adds to his problems.

Just a few minutes to go before their Saturday showdown against the Warriors, Deandre Ayton was suddenly on the inactive list. Later, the reports confirmed that it was a late scratch due to knee soreness for the Lakers center. Now, it is Jaxson Hayes who replaces Ayton as the team’s starting center in San Francisco this weekend.

This was just the second game for Austin Reaves under minutes restriction after his calf injury. The first game after Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury. So, the Lakers will have to again find different solutions on the roster, a recurring theme for the Purple and Gold this season.

Ayton has been relatively healthy this year. He has played in 45 of the 50 games. After the game, JJ Redick downplayed the injury concerns.

“He went out for his shooting stretch, and, you know, just didn’t feel completely comfortable with it. I don’t think there’s any reading to believe it’s anything but day to day.”

Just three weeks ago, Deandre Ayton created Lakers history. The 27-year-old became only the fourth player in Lakers history to have 20 points and 10 rebounds with a perfect shooting record from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Mitch Kupchak. Be it this record or shooting 85.5% against the Wizards, there are flashes of his brilliance.

But this has been marred with inconsistency throughout the entire season.

Before the 28 points and 13 rebounds night against the Wizards, Deandre Ayton had only one 1 game with double-digit scoring in the previous 5 encounters. Even since that Wizards game, he has had scores of 13, 7, and 10. In fact, in his latest performance of 10 points against the 76ers, head coach JJ Redick decided not to play the starting center in the final quarter.

These issues get more spotlight when reports about his exit swamp the headlines. NBA insider Jake Fischer, during a livestream for Bleacher Report, added that the Lakers don’t consider Ayton as a “long-term answer at center or as the pick-and-roll rim-lob threat that Luka Doncic will grow old with in Hollywood.”

While these reports don’t help his case, at least one locker room leader is by his side.

Ayton receives support during inconsistent stint in LA

Though Ayton has been serviceable for the Lakers so far in terms of production, he’s had many performances where he looks questionable or passive. Clearly frustrated by his performances, Ayton even put his teammates in question and stated that “bigs can’t feed themselves.” So, LeBron James is focusing not on Ayton’s mistakes but on what the 27-year-old brings to the team.

“It’s our job to feed him,” James explained to reporters. “Tonight he was very active… He’s 12 or 14, converted, everything in the paint pretty much. He started off with good energy. Was dunking a lot, too. That’s great for us. And rebounding.” James focused on Deandre Ayton’s rebounding and how it enables the team to play faster by getting out and running, and ended his statement by simply saying that Ayton had “been key for our wins, for sure.”

This is a huge endorsement for any star in the NBA today. For now, Deandre Ayton remains a key player for the Lakers and remains “day-to-day”. A far more positive update for the 27-year-old.