The Los Angeles lakers are entering the NBA free agency period with a clear and pressing need. Their performance in the recent playoffs highlighted a significant weakness: the absence of a reliable, impactful center. Competing against the Western Conference’s top teams proved challenging without a strong presence in the paint, making finding a center a top priority for the front office this offseason.
Previous speculation had connected the Lakers to veteran big men like Brook Lopez and Kevon Looney. While solid contributors, a dramatic new opportunity has suddenly emerged on the free agent market, potentially offering a higher-upside solution for Los Angeles.
Deandre ayton Becomes Unexpected Free Agent
The major news arrived on Sunday when former No. 1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton reached a contract buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers. This surprising development immediately made Ayton an unrestricted free agent, available to sign with any team once he clears waivers.
This buyout is particularly notable because Ayton was set to earn $35.5 million in the upcoming season. Accepting a buyout, especially one potentially involving forfeited salary, strongly suggests that Ayton has a clear understanding of his market value and possibly a preferred destination in mind. This level of financial sacrifice wouldn’t typically occur without a strategic plan in place for his next move. For the Trail Blazers, the move likely aligns with their focus on building around their younger core of centers.
Immediately following the announcement of Ayton’s newfound free agency, whispers and rumors began linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers. The connection makes intuitive sense given the Lakers’ well-documented need and Ayton’s talent profile.
Report Suggests “Strong Mutual Interest”
These initial rumors have now received a significant update, adding substantial weight to the possibility of Ayton landing in Los Angeles. According to a report from NBA insider Evan Sidery of Forbes, a clear reciprocal interest is anticipated between the Lakers and Deandre Ayton.
“Expect strong mutual interest between the Lakers and Deandre Ayton when he is officially eligible to sign with a new team,” Sidery reported. Sidery added that Ayton’s primary motivation is to join a team positioned to contend for a championship. He also reportedly views the prospect of potentially playing alongside elite talents like LeBron James or fellow 2018 draft classmate Luka Doncic favorably.
For the Lakers, Ayton represents a potential upgrade that aligns precisely with their roster needs. While he isn’t universally considered a “perfect” player, his specific skills address key areas where Los Angeles struggled.
Analyzing Ayton’s Fit and Performance
Deandre Ayton brings valuable attributes that could significantly bolster the Lakers’ frontcourt. He is known for his high-level rebounding ability, consistently securing boards on both ends of the court. Additionally, he offers decent rim protection, a defensive element the Lakers desperately need to improve their interior defense and compete with physical opponents.
During the most recent 2024-25 NBA season with the Trail Blazers, Ayton appeared in 40 games. He posted solid averages of 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 block per game. He also shot an efficient 56.6 percent from the field, demonstrating effectiveness when finishing inside.
Looking back slightly to the 2023-24 season, the 26-year-old center played in 55 games. In that span, he averaged 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks per contest. Even these performance levels are considered a significant improvement over the production the Lakers received from their center position for much of the last season.
Despite being a former No. 1 overall pick, Ayton has faced scrutiny regarding whether he’s fully reached his potential during his time in Phoenix and Portland. Signing him via buyout would likely require the Lakers to find the “right number” financially to balance his talent and potential with any perceived risk.
Competition and Market Landscape
While the reported mutual interest between the Lakers and Ayton is strong, Los Angeles is unlikely to be the only team pursuing his services. Ayton’s stated desire to play for a contender naturally narrows the field, but several competitive teams could still express interest, particularly now that he is available via buyout rather than trade.
It’s worth remembering Ayton’s past market activity. He previously signed a substantial offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers a few years ago. Although the Pacers are widely expected to re-sign Myles Turner this offseason, the article mentioning this past connection suggests they could potentially revisit their interest in Ayton if their roster situation changes unexpectedly. This highlights the need for the Lakers to act decisively if they view Ayton as their top target.
Ayton as Part of a Busy Lakers Offseason
The potential pursuit of Deandre Ayton is just one piece of what promises to be a highly active offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. General Manager Rob Pelinka has indicated the team will aggressively explore options to upgrade the roster, particularly at the center and wing positions.
Other notable developments shaping the Lakers’ offseason include:
LeBron James reportedly opting into his contract for the 2025-26 season, providing crucial clarity for planning.
Reports of strong interest in retaining wing Dorian Finney-Smith, who declined his player option and is now an unrestricted free agent facing competition from teams like the Houston Rockets.
Picking up the team option for guard Jordan Goodwin.
Tendering a qualifying offer to center Christian Koloko, retaining his rights as a restricted free agent.
- Reports that Austin Reaves turned down a maximum contract extension offer, suggesting a contract agreement is unlikely this summer.
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These interconnected situations underscore the complexity of the Lakers’ roster construction efforts this summer. Ayton’s unexpected availability via buyout represents a significant opportunity that the team is reportedly eager to explore as they aim to build a roster capable of contending in the challenging Western Conference.
The NBA free agency negotiation period officially begins on Monday, June 30th, at 3 p.m. PT. Teams can then officially start signing contracts and finalizing deals beginning Saturday, July 5th, at 9:01 p.m. PT. The situation surrounding Deandre Ayton is expected to be a major storyline in the coming days as teams gauge his interest and potential contract demands, with the Lakers clearly positioned as a primary suitor to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the Los Angeles Lakers urgently need a center this offseason?
The Lakers’ critical need for a center became strikingly apparent during their recent playoff run. Without a dominant or reliable big man, they struggled significantly to compete against the physicality and interior scoring presence of elite Western Conference opponents. Addressing this position is viewed as essential for improving interior defense, rebounding, and overall competitiveness to realistically contend for a championship in the upcoming season, according to reports about the team’s priorities.
What is Deandre Ayton’s current status after leaving Portland?
Deandre Ayton recently reached a contract buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers. This move made him an unrestricted free agent. He is now eligible to sign with any NBA team once he officially clears waivers, which is expected shortly before the official free agency signing period begins. This buyout represents a significant shakeup to the free agent market and provides Ayton an opportunity for a fresh start on a new team.
What makes Deandre Ayton a potential fit for the Lakers, despite past concerns?
While Ayton has faced questions about consistency, his specific skillset directly addresses key Lakers weaknesses. He is a high-level rebounder and provides decent rim protection, both areas where the Lakers need significant improvement. His statistical production, averaging a double-double, is also a notable upgrade over recent Lakers center play. At age 26, he still possesses upside, and playing alongside stars like LeBron James could potentially help him thrive, offering a chance for a “redemption arc” according to analysis.
The story surrounding Deandre Ayton’s surprising free agency and the strong reports of mutual interest with the Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly remain a focal point as NBA free agency unfolds. Addressing their need for a center is paramount for the Lakers, and Ayton’s availability via buyout has suddenly presented a potentially high-impact option that wasn’t previously considered attainable. All eyes will be on how this situation develops once the negotiation period officially opens.
