The Los Angeles Lakers have secured their much-needed center in Deandre Ayton, and fans now know exactly what number the former Phoenix Suns star will wear in purple and gold.
Ayton’s jersey choice has been officially confirmed after he signed a two-year contract with the Lakers following his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers.
What Number Will Deandre Ayton Wear for the Lakers?
Basketball insider Etienne Catalan reported that “DeAndre Ayton will wear NO. 5 for the #Lakers. Number last worn by Cam Reddish in 2025.”
DeAndre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) will wear NO. 5 for the #Lakers. Number last worn by Cam Reddish in 2025. #NBA pic.twitter.com/6sYrrjkorG
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) July 7, 2025
This news has excited Lakers fans who have been eagerly awaiting details about their new starting center since his signing surfaced. The 26-year-old big man officially signed with Los Angeles after finalizing a buyout agreement with Portland, where he spent the previous two seasons.
Despite earning over $25 million from the Trail Blazers through the buyout, Ayton chose the Lakers on a two-year, $16.6 million contract with a player option for the second year. The 6’11” center averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds during the 2024-25 season with Portland.
Why Did Cam Reddish Choose Number 5 for the Lakers?
Jersey number 5 carries recent Lakers history, as it was most recently worn by Reddish during the 2024-25 season. Reddish is a former Duke standout who was drafted as the 10th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft. After bouncing between Atlanta, New York, and Portland, he joined the Lakers in 2023 for a fresh start.
The 25-year-old forward chose No. 5 for a personal reason: Picking his jersey thanks to his dog named “Five.”
He said, “My true number is 22, I always grew up wearing number 22. But, I have a dog and his name is Five, so five it is.”
Joining the Lakers squad, a puppy named Five, & more.
Get to Know | @camreddish pic.twitter.com/WuwwSUi0nu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 1, 2023
During his time with the Lakers, Reddish served primarily as a defensive specialist, averaging 4.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 81 total games in LA. The team waived Reddish in March 2025, making the number available for Ayton.
Reddish shot 31.8% from 3-point range during his Lakers tenure while providing perimeter defense off the bench. His departure opened up both a roster spot and jersey number for the team’s center acquisition.
How Does Ayton Fit Into the Lakers’ Championship Plans?
Lakers President Rob Pelinka expressed confidence in the Ayton acquisition:
“Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason, and we believe Deandre is an amazing solution to that objective and is an ideal player to add to our current core. Deandre’s size, mobility and athleticism will allow both paint scoring and paint protection. Deandre’s playoff experience as a starter on an NBA Finals team also aligns well with our ultimate Lakers championship aspirations.”
Ayton brings significant playoff experience to Los Angeles, having started 64 playoff games during his time with the Phoenix Suns from 2021 to 2023. He averaged 15.8 points and 11.8 rebounds during Phoenix’s run to the 2021 NBA Finals.
The former first overall pick from the 2018 NBA Draft will now look to revitalize his career alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the Lakers pursue their championship goals. Ayton’s addition addresses the team’s biggest need at center, where they lacked consistent production during the 2024-25 season.
