The Los Angeles Lakers have finally found their center! The team officially announced on Sunday that they have signed center Deandre Ayton.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, it’s a two-year, $16 million deal.
In June, the Portland Trail Blazers and Ayton reached an agreement to buy out the center’s contract.
In 2022, Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million deal with the Suns, and he was slated to make $35.5 million next season.
Ayton, 26, was originally acquired by the Trail Blazers in a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks on September 27, 2023.
Last season, in 40 games, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest.
“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,” Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka said in a press release. “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.”
The number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has played in 398 career NBA games (391 starts) across seven seasons with Portland (2023-25) and the Phoenix Suns (2018-23), averaging 16.4 points on 59.0 percent shooting from the field and 75.5 percent from the foul line to go with 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in 30.8 minutes.
Ayton’s signing brings a wave of optimism to the Lakers’ fanbase. His potential to be a game-changer when motivated and healthy, could propel the Lakers to title contention next season.
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