Deandre Ayton to Join LeBron James and Luka Dončić at Los Angeles Lakers

Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, according to sources familiar with the deal. The agreement is yet to be officially announced by the Lakers or Ayton. Ayton, the No 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers last weekend. He will be joining Luka Dončić and LeBron James on a one-year deal with a player option for 2026-27. Ayton will receive more than $25m from the Blazers while playing for the Lakers in the upcoming season.

Ayton's addition addresses the Lakers' key offseason need, providing a lob target for James and Dončić and adding defensive size in the middle, a void left since trading Anthony Davis to Dallas for Dončić. Ayton, who spent his first five NBA seasons with Phoenix before moving to Portland two years ago, has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over his seven seasons, shooting 59% from the field.

The Lakers struggled last season without Davis in the paint, with Jaxson Hayes performing poorly and getting benched by coach JJ Redick in the final games. Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by Minnesota in five games, with Rudy Gobert dominating with 27 points and 24 rebounds in the deciding game as the Lakers mostly played without a center.