Lakers Land Deandre Ayton on Two-Year Deal After Blazers Buyout

Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers on Wednesday, according to multiple reports from ESPN and other outlets. The deal will pay the 2018 No. 1 draft pick about $8 million in its first season, with a player option for 2026-27, and was negotiated by agents Nima Namakian and Bill Duffy with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.

Ayton became a free agent when the Portland Trail Blazers bought out the final year of his four-year, $132 million contract. He forfeited a portion of the remaining salary but will still collect roughly $25 million from Portland, bringing his projected income for next season to about $34 million once the Lakers’ payment is included.

Adding the 27-year-old Bahamian addresses Los Angeles’ most pressing roster need after the mid-season trade that paired Luka Dončić with LeBron James left the club thin at center. Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 games for Portland last season and owns career marks of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds. The Lakers hope that playing alongside two All-NBA playmakers and under second-year head coach JJ Redick will help the seven-footer regain the consistency he showed during Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run.