Deandre Ayton wasn’t a fallback option for the Los Angeles Lakers—he was their top priority at center from the outset of free agency.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers had zeroed in on Ayton before the market officially opened. Writing on The Stein Line, Stein emphasized, “I believe that Deandre Ayton was the Lakers’ top target among centers from the first minute of free agency.”
The seven-footer reached a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers on June 29, one day before free agency began. That timing allowed the Lakers to act quickly, with Stein noting Ayton was “instantly regarded by numerous interested teams as a virtual lock to land with the Lakers.”
Despite speculation that the Lakers pivoted to Ayton after missing out on Brook Lopez—who joined the Clippers—Stein clarified that Los Angeles never saw Ayton as a backup plan.
The Lakers signed Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal on July 6, with a player option in the second season.
The move marks a fresh start for the 26-year-old big man, whose stint in Portland ended amid concerns about professionalism.
Still, Ayton brings a strong résumé to Los Angeles. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick has averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 59% shooting across seven seasons.
He played 40 games for Portland in 2024–25, averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest. At his peak in Phoenix, Ayton was a double-double machine and helped the Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals.
