Just two days after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, center Deandre Ayton was officially introduced at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo. Speaking to the media for the first time as a Laker, Ayton said the chance to join forces with superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
Following a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Lakers on Sunday, which includes a player option for the second year. The seven-year veteran reportedly drew interest from multiple teams but ultimately chose a Lakers squad in need of help at the center position.
According to Ayton, several key factors played into his decision to head to Los Angeles.
Deandre Ayton Raves About His Fit With Lakers, Looks Forward to Playing for Winning Team
During Tuesday’s introductory press conference, Ayton emphasized that playing alongside James and Dončić, two acclaimed playmakers, was instrumental in his decision to choose LA. The 2018 No. 1 pick also expressed excitement to be part of a storied franchise with 17 NBA championships after Portland won only 57 games during his two-year stint.
“The teams that me and my agents evaluated during that timespan, I feel that Lakers was the best fit,” Ayton said (timestamp: 0:37). “Being around the two best playmakers in the league, and just Laker Nation, having the fan base behind them is something I’ve never seen before, and just to be a part of it, knowing the winning legacy that this organization has. I know the expectations. I know that winning means a lot here.”
Ayton continued to break down how the two superstars have elevated their teammates in the past, noting that he could be next in line to benefit.
“They both average about nine assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates,” Ayton said. “They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor as well. Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that would be big for me.
“Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, just coming up and being a part of the (NBA) Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me that’s leading to wins.”
As Ayton mentioned, while he hasn’t experienced postseason success in recent years, he was the starting center on the Phoenix Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals roster. During that run, he thrived alongside the facilitation of veteran point guard Chris Paul.
Joining forces with James and Dončić could help the 26-year-old recapture that magic, serving as a lob threat while also flourishing in the midrange and dominating the glass.
The Lakers are coming off a 50-win campaign despite playing the second half of the season without a starting-level center. If Ayton meshes well with his new teammates, they could be poised to take a step forward in the crowded Western Conference next season.
However, concerns abound, with skeptics questioning how Ayton’s inconsistent defensive effort will be received on an already defensively challenged LA squad. Across 40 outings this past season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 56.6%.
It remains to see how well Ayton and his new future-Hall of Fame teammates will mesh, but it’s clear he’s excited about the opportunity to play with James and Dončić.
