LOS ANGELES -- The wait is over. The Lakers addressed their glaring hole at starting center on Wednesday, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with 26-year-old big man Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Ayton will make $16.6 million in the deal with a player option for the second season.
BREAKING: Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Between Portland and L.A., Ayton will earn $34 million next season. Agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka. pic.twitter.com/FUeNAkN19K
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2025
Ayton drew interest from multiple teams, ultimately deciding on L.A. for a chance to play alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James as the team's starting center.
He will earn $34 million next season between the Lakers and Trail Blazers after negotiating a buyout with Portland on Sunday night to hit free agency.
The Lakers now have the No. 1 pick and the No. 3 pick (Dončić) from the 2018 NBA draft in their starting unit, a duo that could pivot L.A. in a strong direction post LeBron, as both are still just 26 years old.
Since entering the league, Ayton has been a double-double machine and should pair nicely as a lob threat with Dončić and James. In his seven-year career, he has averaged 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 59% from the field.
In 40 games last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Ayton is the only player in NBA history to average 15 points and over 60% shooting in the postseason.