Center DeAndre Ayton has agreed to join Los Angeles Lakers As a free agent, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press Wednesday.
People spoke on anonymity as the deal has not been announced between the Lakers and Ayton, the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft – leading two positions Luka Dončić.
Portland Trail Blazers bought Ayton’s contract last weekend, and he agreed to join Dončić and LeBron James One year contract with 2026-27 player options. The Trail Blazers will earn more than $25 million in their upcoming season.
Ayton’s arrival meets the Lakers’ most obvious offseason demand. He will provide James and Dončić with a LOB goal, while increasing the defensive size since trading Anthony Davis to Dallas for Dončić.
Ayton spent his first five NBA Joined Phoenix Season two years ago. He struggled in Portland while playing for a mediocre team, but over his seven seasons he averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 59% of his shots.
Last season, the Lakers struggled without Davis, and Jaxson Hayes had a poor game and could be coached as a substitute in the last game. Minnesota eliminated Los Angeles from the first round of the playoffs in five games, with big man Rudy Gobert 27 points and 24 rebounds in a win, while the Lakers largely lacked centers.
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