The Los Angeles Lakers have secured the services of Deandre Ayton. The former No. 1 pick, who was recently released by Portland, will sign a two-year contract in LA.
This is according to multiple media reports. The Blazers surprisingly released the big man even though he was still owed over $33 million for the upcoming season.
Instead, Ayton is now joining the Lakers, where he is expected to take over the starting role at center. Since the trade of Anthony Davis, the Lakers have been weak at this position, forcing LeBron James and the departed Dorian Finney-Smith to fill in repeatedly in the playoffs.
Ayton was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2018 (ahead of Luka Doncic, among others), but the man from the Bahamas never made his breakthrough. After several disappointing playoff appearances, the Suns traded Ayton to Portland in 2023, but the center never managed to impress there either.
Ayton: Problems in Portland
Although Ayton averaged a double-double of 14.2 points and 10.2 rebounds in the preseason, there was unrest behind the scenes. The Athletic recently reported that Ayton was often late and even missed rehab appointments. There were also said to have been several outbursts of anger in the locker room.
