Deandre Ayton has joined the Los Angeles Lakers after two disappointing seasons with the Blazers. Some people thought he was a panic signing for the Lakers, when in fact, he was the top target.
After a 2024-25 campaign when the Los Angeles Lakers struggled without a high-level center, they now have Deandre Ayton. The #1 pick from the 2018 Draft joins the Lakers, where he could be fantastic if he meets his potential.
Of course, Ayton struggled in his two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, which led to a contract buyout. Now that he is with the Lakers, he could be the big steal in free agency. This is a huge coup for the Lakers, especially if he and Luka Doncic could become the one-two punch.
Amidst reports that the Lakers were looking to get Brook Lopez in free agency, Marc Stein clarified that Ayton was always the top target.
Photo by Soobum Im/Getty ImagesAyton was a virtual lock for the Lakers
Ahead of 2025’s free agent market opening, the Trail Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract. That meant he was free to sign with any team when free agency opened. The Lakers dropped everything and made sure to get him because of his potential impact.
Some reports stated that the Lakers wanted Lopez on a mid-level exception contract. Marc Stein of The Stein Line confirmed that LA did not consider any other option outside Ayton.
“I believe that Deandre Ayton was the Lakers’ top target among centers from the first minute of free agency. I know it might have looked to some like the Lakers lost out to the Clippers on Brook Lopez and pivoted to Ayton. That’s not how it went down,” Stein said on The Stein Line.
“Ayton and the Trail Blazers came to terms on a buyout agreement on the day before free agency officially began, and the 7-foot Bahamian was instantly regarded by numerous interested teams as a virtual lock to land with the Lakers.”
Lopez would have been a good signing, but he is not the optimal center for the Lakers. He is not a lob threat, especially considering he is 37. With Ayton, LA have a lob threat and someone who can generate offense. Lopez is the more impactful defender, but Ayton could improve on that part of his game.
Ayton wants to be a difference-maker for the Lakers
Now that he is with the Lakers, Ayton is ready to play his heart out for the team. This is significant for the team, as they still have championship aspirations. With a superstar duo of Doncic and LeBron James, anything is possible.
With a decent center who could potentially still be an All-Star, they have hit the jackpot. Ayton has not had the career most people expected from a #1 pick. However, he is in LA to redeem himself and get back on track.
Deandre Ayton | Game Winning DEFENSE
Yeah. You read that right.
And he did it for the BLAZERS, vs ZUBAC, no less.
When this guy WANTS TO ENGAGE-
He can quite literally almost do anything he wants on a Basketball floor. On BOTH ends. pic.twitter.com/HjMOQ2LxH1
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) July 13, 2025
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Ayton and Doncic will be a big part of the offense, given Ayton’s history with a top point guard. During his Phoenix Suns days, he and Chris Paul were a fantastic pick-and-roll partnership. As long as he is willing to catch lobs, he and Doncic should form a strong bond.
The Lakers are ready to compete in the loaded Western Conference. They might not be the favorites, but they will try to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.