Lakers Lock In Deandre Ayton to Fill Long‑Coveted Center Void
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially closed the book on their summer-long search for a long‑needed center by signing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, marking a turning point in their roster build around LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
The Deal & Why It Matters
On July 2, 2025, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Lakers reached a deal to add Ayton, as he was coming off a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers (espn.com, silverscreenandroll.com). League insiders confirm it’s a two-year, ~$16.6 million contract, starting at about $8.1 million in 2025–26, with a player option for the following season (lakersnation.com). Notably, Portland will still pay the roughly $25 million remainder on his salary, leaving the Lakers responsible only for the deal tied to their mid-level exception .
This signing addresses a glaring deficiency: a consistent, physical presence in the paint. After Anthony Davis’s departure and failed attempts to shore up the center spot, Ayton—standing at 7′0″ and averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 boards, and 1.0 blocks on 56.6% shooting last season with Portland—offers just that (nba.com).
A Strategic Blockade for Future Dominance
For years, the Lakers have morphed into a perimeter-heavy team, reliant primarily on wing scoring and spacing. While versatile and skilled, this lacked the deep-post strength and second-chance opportunities that big men traditionally provide. Ayton is expected to become the central hub in the paint, anchoring the defense and capitalizing on lob targets from superstars LeBron and Luka (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
The pairing of Dončić (who was drafted two picks after Ayton in 2018) and Ayton carries symbolic weight and historical intrigue—two top-2018 picks whose careers have tracked closely. Their reunion on the court in Los Angeles promises both inside-out synergy and ample NBA storylines .
⚠️ Risks & Rewards: Health, Consistency, and Fit
Despite his impact, Ayton comes with caveats. Injuries have limited his availability—he played only 40 games last season and has battled calf, ankle, back, and knee issues throughout his career Additionally, critics continue to question his consistency and mental approach. ESPN analyst Kevin O’Connor recently cautioned that Ayton “brings flaky effort and focus… still, by far the best option on the market”
The Lakers are betting that Ayton’s size, athleticism, and work ethic in a winning environment will outweigh these concerns and reshape their frontcourt shortcomings.
Outlook: What This Means for L.A.
- Interior Defense Upgrade: With Ayton protecting the rim, the Lakers expect a dramatic improvement in churned rotations and second-chance stops.
- Offensive Diversification: Pick-and-rolls featuring Ayton with Luka or LeBron will enhance spacing and scoring variety, crucial for playoff success.
- Cap Management Strategy: The team maintains financial flexibility for next summer’s free agency, thanks to Ayton’s mid-level structured deal
- Roster Building Still in Progress: Discussions continue around pursuing veteran big men like Al Horford or Robert Williams III to provide depth and insurance in the frontcourt
Final Take
Landing Ayton is the Lakers’ most significant move this offseason—a cost-efficient gamble with high upside. If healthy and consistent, he could deliver the dominance inside that has eluded L.A. since Davis’s exit. His pairing with Dončić, offsetting perimeter-heavy rotations, may be the missing building block toward true championship contention.
Yet the true test will come from Ayton—how he learns, adapts, and stays engaged under the national spotlight. For the Lakers, the frontcourt equation is now clear: Ayton is the centerpiece. Their success hinges on whether this bold acquisition can finally steady the paint and elevate this storied franchise’s title hopes.
