Deandre Ayton Joins the Los Angeles Lakers
Deandre Ayton is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season after being released by the Portland Trail Blazers. The deal, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, will see Ayton earn $34 million in his first year with the Lakers. This move marks Ayton’s transition to his third professional team following a turbulent stint in Portland that lasted about 21 months.
Ayton’s Transition and Expectations
Ayton’s switch to the Lakers comes with hopes that he will provide a necessary upgrade to the center position, especially after a flurry of player acquisitions at the beginning of the NBA’s 2025 free agency.
Initially, Ayton was selected as the top pick in the 2018 draft before being involved in a significant trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. As a result, Ayton, alongside a second-round pick rights related to Toumani Camara, was shipped to Portland in exchange for players including Jusuf Nurkić and Grayson Allen.
Challenges and Performance
His exit from the Phoenix Suns was seen as a drastic measure by the franchise. Ayton had been an integral contributor during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run, registering impressive averages of 16.7 points, shooting nearly 60% from the field, and grabbing 10.4 boards per game in five seasons with the team. However, several factors contributed to the Suns’ decision to part ways with him, including a rocky relationship with then-coach Monty Williams and a perceived lack of physicality and intensity that he exhibited on the court.
Following an unsuccessful playoff campaign in 2024 for the Suns, which saw them swept in the first round, Ayton continued to struggle for relevance during his time with the rebuilding Blazers. Over two seasons, he maintained a steady scoring average of 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 56.9%, although his impact was often debated. Notably, in the closing games of the 2023-24 season, Ayton began to show signs of promise, including a stretch of high-level performance that had Portland’s coach, Chauncey Billups, praising him for achieving a potent form.
Future Prospects
However, his subsequent season fell short, leading to career lows in both points per game and free-throw shooting. Ayton dealt with injuries, including a calf strain, ultimately leading to his exclusion from Portland’s future plans as the franchise began drafting younger talent to fill the center position. Talks regarding trades with other teams did not yield successful results, pushing Ayton to negotiate a buyout to explore free agency.
As Ayton arrives in Los Angeles, he is presented with another opportunity to harness his considerable physical attributes and basketball skills. With the Lakers offering a fresh start, it remains to be seen whether Ayton can finally realize the potential that made him a top draft pick seven years ago. Third time may finally prove to be the charm for the talented big man as he seeks to elevate his career within a winning environment.
