Redick addresses his center's struggles and the reason behind his recent decline in production.
The Los Angeles Lakers brought in Deandre Ayton this offseason to be the answer at center, and the former No. 1 overall pick looked like a natural fit early in the year.
After a strong start where Ayton was putting up solid numbers and looked comfortable in the system, the 27-year-old has hit a rough patch over his last several games, and his head coach believes he knows why.
JJ Redick Shares the Source of Ayton's Struggles
Speaking to reporters at practice on Saturday, Redick was direct about what's going on with his big man.
"I think he's frustrated. He doesn't feel like he's getting the ball," Redick said.
The numbers back up that sentiment.
Over his first 10 games of the season, Ayton was averaging 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while looking like the piece the Lakers had been missing in the frontcourt.
Since then, his production has taken a noticeable dip, and he's averaged just 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game over his last 10 contests while his touches have decreased.
A Look at Ayton's Recent Games
Ayton's recent stretch has been inconsistent at best.
On Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, he managed just 10 points and pulled down only two rebounds in a 119-96 loss.
Against Phoenix on December 23, he posted 12 points and 10 rebounds but the Lakers fell 132-108.
He also scored just six points on 3-of-9 shooting in a loss to the Boston Celtics earlier in December.
The bright spots have been there too, including a strong 20-point, 13-rebound performance in a win over the Suns on December 14 and an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double in the team's most recent victory over Sacramento on December 28.
But those games have been the exception rather than the rule lately, and Redick understands the issue goes beyond just effort.
What Comes Next for Ayton and the Lakers
Redick made it clear that the coaching staff needs to do a better job of getting Ayton involved early in games, but he also challenged his center to be more active and assertive when opportunities arise.
The Lakers currently sit at 21-11 on the season, which is good for fifth in the Western Conference.
Despite their strong record, there's been some underlying concern about the team's overall play, as they've posted a negative point differential despite winning 65 percent of their games.
For Ayton, who is averaging 14.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on the season while shooting an impressive 69.6 percent from the field, the path forward is about finding a balance between staying engaged when the ball isn't coming his way and trusting that his coaching staff will get him more involved.