Steve Nash skeptical of Deandre Ayton getting along with Luka Doncic

Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Steve Nash expressed doubts about how effective Deandre Ayton will merge with Luka Doncic as the The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to open the 2025-26 regular season next week.

Speaking on the Zach Love Show, Nash spoke about his concerns about Ayton’s offensive role and questioned whether the center’s style of play would complement Doncic’s ball-dominant, pick-and-roll-heavy approach.

“Aiton, I think, has to have a better year. We know he can put up the numbers, but is he really going to make it? Like, that’s my big question,” Nash said. “Is he really going to roll to the basket? Because that doesn’t help the Lakers or Luca helps the Lakers if he wants to step up or if he wants to slow down, you know, in a short role and become a playmaker. Like they really need him to want to be a little more dynamic, get in and out, get above the rim, be a vertical threat, be able to set up what a better defense can set up what for the team to do. because they’re going to they have problems defensively.”

Steve Nash points out that Deandre Ayton’s role at the rim is crucial for the Lakers

Nash, who won two MVPs during his career and is considered one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history, stressed that Ayton’s willingness to accept a true role in the running game could determine how well the Lakers function on offense.

“I think they just don’t have elite defenders at this stage,” Nash continued. “They have positional size, but it’s going to be so important for them to make sure the offense is buzzing, that they’re jumping, letting Luka be at his best. Otherwise, you know, that delta between offense and defense is going to become really problematic.”

Nash’s comments come as the Lakers enter the final stretch of preseason play with several chemistry and health questions. LeBron James remains sidelined with a sciatica injury it kept him out of training camp and all preseason games. The Lakers announced last week that the 40-year-old will miss the start of the regular season as he rehabs for nerve irritation in his glute. Head coach JJ Redick said the team will reevaluate James in three to four weeks.

Luka Doncic is ready to lead the Lakers’ offense, while Ayton looks to find a rhythm before the start of the 2025-26 season.

Meanwhile, Doncic is expected to lead the Lakers offense from the start. The 26-year-old averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 games last season after receiving from Dallas Mavericks in emergency midseason trade for Anthony Davis.

Ayton, 27, joined Los Angeles this summer after completing a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. He signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with a player option for a second season. In 40 games with Portland last year, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 56.6 percent from the field.

In Tuesday’s 113-104 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns, Ayton had 10 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist while shooting 4-for-9 from the field in 26 minutes. Despite the loss, he showed flashes of defensive presence and rebounding — key elements the Lakers hope to build on.

The Lakers will conclude their preseason schedule Friday against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM ET on NBA TV before opening the regular season on Tuesday, October 21 against the Golden State Warriors at 10:30 PM ET on NBC Peacock.