Deandre Ayton walked into the Lakers’ facility Tuesday wearing purple and gold for the first time. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick had waited years for this moment, and Lakers fans could feel his excitement through every social media post. After two seasons away from championship contention with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton finally found himself exactly where he wanted to be: surrounded by winners and ready to chase a title.
How Are Lakers Fans Reacting to Deandre Ayton’s Arrival?
The Lakers officially announced Ayton’s signing on Sunday, and after his first appearance at the team’s facility, fans wasted no time showing their support. Ayton has reportedly been signed to a two-year $16.6 million contract, which includes a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Following his first glimpse of the facility, Ayton took to X to share his enthusiasm. “New chapter. Let’s hoop, Lakers Nation #LakeShow 💜💛,” he wrote while sharing photos from his first day as a Laker. The response from Los Angeles fans was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.
A Los Angeles Lakers fan account tweeted, “NEXT LEGENDARY LAKER BIG MAN.”
Ayton is happy to be a Laker. Man I hope you actually empty the tank and show up with a purpose. pic.twitter.com/rw238B87PP
— Jay (@JayHardy252) July 9, 2025
One Lakers fan shared a video of Ayton showing off his No. 5 Los Angeles jersey and wrote, “Ayton is happy to be a Laker. Man, I hope you actually empty the tank and show up with a purpose.”
The excitement continued across social media platforms. One X user was thrilled and said, “HAPPY TO HAVE YOU DEMON.”
Another user echoed this sentiment and commented, “LETS WORK DEMUNN.”
The Lakers’ rich history with dominant big men wasn’t lost on the fanbase. One Lakers fan highlighted the team’s tradition with centers and wrote, “Next Laker great! Feels good to have what will be another legendary big man! 🏀🌴”
Meanwhile, support for the former Suns and Blazers center poured in from all corners of Lakers Nation. A Purple and Gold fan extended encouragement to the 2018 No. 1 overall pick and commented, “We 100% behind you, big dawg 💜💛.”
What Did Ayton Say About Joining the Lakers?
Ayton’s comments during his introductory press conference revealed just how much this opportunity means to him. Another fan was thrilled with his remarks and said, “I’m glad our starting big set the tone. He wants to win. He wants a chip. He’s hungry. We lucked up.”
During his first press conference as a Laker on Tuesday, Ayton opened up about why Los Angeles felt like the perfect fit. “I feel like the Lakers were the best position [for me]. They want to win a championship right now, and I want to win right now as well and just be part of a winning legacy and be around winners,” he said (via ESPN).
The center also reflected on his recent experiences away from title contention. “The last two years was just a different route for me and I just learned a lot that when you don’t win in this league, you can be forgotten,” Ayton explained.
Beyond discussing his own motivations, Ayton praised his new teammates’ ability to elevate those around them. He noted that Luka Dončić and LeBron James averaged “about nine assists over their career,” and turned their teammates into “superstars.”
The Bahamian basketball player also expressed his excitement about playing alongside elite talent. He spoke about how having the opportunity to share the floor with Dončić felt like a video game scenario. “This is an opportunity that I won’t take for granted. Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate,” Ayton said.
