Deandre Ayton Already Surpasses Anthony Davis’ Mavericks Minutes After Just 14 Games

The Los Angeles Lakers took a calculated swing when they signed Deandre Ayton this offseason, hoping the former No. 1 overall pick could anchor the paint and bring reliability to their frontcourt. Just a few weeks into the season, the move already looks like a massive win.

Ayton has delivered consistent production on both ends of the floor and has quickly become one of the team’s most heavily relied-on contributors. His availability has also stood out in stark contrast to former Lakers star Anthony Davis, now with the Dallas Mavericks.

Ayton passes Davis in total minutes — in less than a month

Davis joined Dallas in early February, but injuries have limited his time on the court. The eight-time All-Star has appeared in just 14 regular-season games for the Mavericks, recording 425 total minutes since arriving.

Ayton, meanwhile, reached that mark in a fraction of the time.

Los Angeles has played 15 games so far this season, and Ayton has missed only one. In his 14 appearances, he has already logged 435 minutes, surpassing Davis’ total despite having nearly two months less with his new team. The availability gap highlights Ayton’s impact and how quickly he has become integral to the Lakers’ system.

Reliable on both ends

Averaging just over 30 minutes per night, Ayton has been a steady two-way presence. Offensively, he continues to position himself well around the basket, frequently finishing plays created by Luka Dončić and LeBron James, who have unlocked numerous lob and interior scoring opportunities for him.

Defensively, he has anchored the paint with physicality and consistent rim protection, giving Los Angeles much-needed stability in the middle.

Double-double machine

Ayton has also translated his workload into production. He has recorded seven double-doubles in his first 14 games, and the Lakers have lost only once in those performances. That means the big man is delivering double-doubles in 50% of his outings, directly contributing to the team’s strong early-season showing.

If his durability and productivity continue, Ayton could prove to be one of the most impactful offseason additions in the league.