As the NBA offseason continues at a breakneck pace, the Los Angeles Lakers have made a splash by signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.2 million deal following his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers.
This move addresses a crucial need at center for the Lakers, a position that proved problematic throughout last season. With the addition of Ayton, the Lakers hope to not only shore up their roster, but also keep LeBron James in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
James recently exercised his player option for the final year of his contract, though speculation persists that he could seek a trade if the team fails to make significant upgrades.
Lakers Address Major Roster Hole by Signing Deandre Ayton
On paper, the signing of Ayton by Los Angeles fits perfectly. Selected first overall by the Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ayton quickly established himself as a force in the paint during his five seasons in Phoenix.
After a falling out with the Suns, he was traded to the Trail Blazers, where he continued to showcase his interior skills. Over his seven-year career, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Free agent center DeAndre Ayton is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/mqlibRFbPU
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2025
Ayton’s time in Portland came to an end as the Trail Blazers added depth at center. While Donovan Clingan was not specifically noted as a star rookie in 2025 by major sources, the team did select Yang Hansen with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Having three players listed at 7’0” or taller created a crowded frontcourt, leading Portland to buy out the remainder of Ayton’s contract.
Meanwhile, the Lakers faced the opposite problem. After a blockbuster trade to acquire Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, Los Angeles found itself thin at center.
The team attempted to patch the gap with Jaxson Hayes and others, but none offered the level of skill needed for a deep playoff run.
Hayes averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game, and he was largely a non-factor in the Lakers’ first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Rudy Gobert did not hurt the Lakers much in the first four games of the series, his 27-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 5 sealed the franchise’s fate.
Adding Ayton also helps the Lakers adjust their timeline. Both Ayton and Dončić are 26 years old, giving the team a clear path forward after James’ eventual retirement. The move should help keep James in Los Angeles for the remainder of his career, and it provides Dončić with a reliable playing partner for the future.
While the Lakers still have work to do to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets, the signing of Ayton is a strong step in the right direction.
