After months of searching, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally found their starting center: former No. 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton. The young big man hit free agency after a buyout from the Trail Blazers, and now he’s set to feature at the center position for the Lakers next season, alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
“Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers,” wrote Shams Charania on X. “Between Portland and L.A., Ayton will earn $34 million next season. Agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka.”
Ayton began his career with the Phoenix Suns, where they hoped he’d develop into a star big man. While Ayton has the size and skills of an elite center, he lacks the focus, effort, and consistency that the best in the position have. Since his NBA debut in 2018, Ayton’s role has seen a gradual reduction as his minutes fluctuated with changing coaches.
Eventually, he was sent to Portland in hopes of rehabilitating his career on a young team with no pressure. Instead, his legacy was further damaged after they released him from the roster with reports of temper tantrums in the locker room.
In 40 games last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 56.6% shooting. It was some of the lowest marks of his career, but at just 26 years old, there is faith he can turn it around.
For the Lakers, specifically, they really had no other choice but to sign Ayton, who was the last remaining big man available after several targets came off the board, including Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Myles Turner, Luke Kornet, Santi Aldama, and Day’Ron Sharpe. Ayton, even with all his flaws, was the best name the Lakers could sign at center, and they needed to bring somebody to fill the frontcourt.
After going months with nobody but Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber at the position, the Lakers knew they couldn’t succeed and made it their top priority to add a high-quality center this summer. Ayton was their last chance to fulfill that promise, and his presence will at least give them a chance to challenge some of the West’s top contenders.
