Deandre Ayton Joins Lakers in Free Agency Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Deandre Ayton is joining the Los Angeles Lakers after a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. The former No. 1 overall pick will team up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic to address the Lakers’ glaring center void. Ayton, owed $25 million from Portland, brings size and scoring to L.A.
Quick Looks
- Deandre Ayton joins Lakers after Blazers contract buyout
- Agreement includes player option for 2026–27 season
- Lakers fill center spot after trading Anthony Davis
- Ayton to play alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic
- Ayton averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds over seven seasons
- Former Suns and Blazers center adds interior scoring, size
- Deal not yet officially announced, per sources
- Ayton missed games last season due to calf strain
Deep Look
The Los Angeles Lakers are making a major move to reshape their frontcourt by signing center Deandre Ayton to a free agent deal, according to two people familiar with the agreement. The deal, not yet officially announced, comes after Ayton’s buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, allowing him to join a Lakers squad eager to rebound after a disappointing early playoff exit.
Ayton, 26, is expected to sign a one-year deal with a player option for the 2026–27 season. He will still receive over $25 million from the Trail Blazers as part of the buyout arrangement, giving the Lakers a major talent at a reduced financial commitment.
Ayton’s arrival in Los Angeles addresses one of the team’s most urgent offseason needs: interior size and athleticism. After trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic earlier this summer, the Lakers were left without a dependable presence in the paint. With LeBron James entering his 22nd NBA season, surrounding him with finishers and physical support was imperative. Ayton, a 7-footer with athleticism and touch around the rim, fits that bill.
While Ayton has never been named to an All-Star team, his career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over seven seasons demonstrate consistency. He boasts a career shooting percentage of 59%, making him one of the most efficient big men in the league. He also becomes the only player since former Laker Dwight Howard to average a double-double in points and rebounds over his first seven seasons.
Ayton’s NBA journey began when the Phoenix Suns selected him first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft—two spots ahead of Luka Doncic, now his Lakers teammate. After five years in Phoenix, including a run to the NBA Finals in 2021, Ayton was traded to Portland as part of a blockbuster three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
His two seasons in Portland were marked by inconsistency and injury. Ayton played only 40 games last season before being shut down in February with a strained calf. Despite the setbacks, his statistical production remained solid, especially considering the Blazers’ rebuilding status.
Ayton now gets a fresh start in Los Angeles and a chance to play meaningful games alongside two of the league’s biggest stars. His fit alongside Doncic and James could give the Lakers a lethal offensive trio with inside-out versatility. With Doncic’s elite playmaking and James’ court vision, Ayton should have no shortage of lobs and paint touches.
The timing of the deal is crucial for the Lakers, who were bounced from the first round of the playoffs in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In their final game, the Lakers were exposed in the paint, as Rudy Gobert dominated with 27 points and 24 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes, the team’s starting center, was benched during the final playoff games by head coach JJ Redick due to poor performance.
Ayton’s presence is expected to remedy that vulnerability. While not known for elite rim protection, his size, rebounding, and scoring ability make him a significant upgrade over Hayes and any other options currently on the Lakers’ roster.
Ayton also has ties to Southern California. After moving from the Bahamas, he played high school basketball in San Diego before starring at the University of Arizona. That familiarity with the West Coast market could help ease his transition to Los Angeles and reinvigorate his career after uneven years in Portland.
Lakers fans have reason to be optimistic. The team has now surrounded LeBron James with a talented roster featuring Doncic, Ayton, Austin Reaves, and other young contributors. While question marks remain about the team’s depth and perimeter defense, addressing the center position was priority one—and Ayton checks that box.
The Lakers have yet to officially confirm the signing, but the move has sent shockwaves across the league, particularly given the fact that Ayton was once considered the future of the Suns. For Ayton, this is a golden opportunity to redefine his career on a championship-contending stage, playing next to two of the best facilitators in the NBA.
As the Lakers prepare for training camp and the upcoming season, the addition of Ayton signals their intent to remain competitive in a crowded Western Conference. With the frontcourt now stabilized, Los Angeles turns its attention to building cohesion and depth as they chase another championship run.
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