Luka Doncic has welcomed the arrival of Deandre Ayton to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian star reportedly endorsed the move as the Lakers secured Ayton on a two-year, $16.6 million contract.
On The Herd with Jason McIntyre, Lakers insider Jovan Buha shared, via HoopsHype, “I’ve heard they have a good rapport—like, by NBA standards, a good rapport between Luka and Deandre Ayton. They share an agent. They were two of the top three picks in the same draft—the 2018 draft. Ayton went first, Luka went third. Their families have met each other. They have a relationship. Luka, I’ve been told, was on board with Ayton coming in. He gave the stamp of approval.”
Ayton, 26, finalized a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, relinquishing $10 million of his guaranteed salary to become an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds over 40 games last season in Portland.
Buha also noted that Doncic is “excited to have a pick-and-roll partner” and sees Ayton as “an upgrade over Jaxson Hayes.” He added, “Deandre Ayton, for all the discourse around him, has been statistically one of the most efficient pick-and-roll finishers, lob threats, over the last few years.”
Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks, who coached Ayton for one season in Portland, reportedly advocated strongly for the acquisition as well. Ayton’s decision to initiate a buyout with the Blazers and seek a fresh start paved the way for the Lakers to quickly finalize the deal.
The former No. 1 overall pick is expected to bring interior defense, rebounding, and reliable finishing to a Lakers roster that finished 50–32 last season and earned the third seed in the Western Conference.
Ayton now joins a retooled Lakers squad eager for a deeper playoff run after last year’s first-round exit. With a player option in the second year of his deal, he has the chance to rebuild his value on a contender alongside Doncic.
