Deandre Ayton to Join Lakers After Blazers Buyout in Major Offseason Move
The former No. 1 pick brings size and scoring to a Lakers team reshaping its core around LeBron James and Luka Dončić
Ayton Headed to Los Angeles
In a significant roster shake-up, center Deandre Ayton is set to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after reaching a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers and clearing waivers, according to multiple reports. The deal includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.
Ayton, the top overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, joins a retooled Lakers team that now features LeBron James and Luka Dončić, two generational talents expected to drive a championship push. While official terms of the deal haven’t been announced, Ayton will reportedly continue to receive over $25 million from Portland while suiting up for Los Angeles.
Filling a Void in the Paint
The Lakers’ need for size and interior presence was glaring last season after the departure of Anthony Davis, who was traded to Dallas in the blockbuster deal that brought Dončić to LA. The team struggled mightily in the paint, particularly during their first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the series-clinching Game 5, Rudy Gobert dominated with 27 points and 24 rebounds, exposing the Lakers’ lack of rim protection and rebounding.
By adding Ayton, the Lakers hope to patch those vulnerabilities. While not known as an elite defender, the 7-footer offers a strong offensive skill set, averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over his seven-year career while shooting an efficient 59% from the field. He’s also one of the few players since Dwight Howard to average a double-double in each of his first seven NBA seasons.
A Career in Transition
Ayton’s NBA journey has seen its ups and downs. After a promising start with the Phoenix Suns, including a pivotal role in their 2021 Finals run, his time with the Trail Blazers was less successful. Portland, caught in a rebuild, saw limited impact from Ayton, who played only 40 games last season due to a strained calf.
Still just 27 years old, Ayton arrives in Los Angeles with a chance to reset his career and contribute meaningfully to a contending team. His ability to run the floor, finish lobs, and crash the glass should mesh well with James and Dončić, who thrive with high-IQ bigs that can operate in space and finish plays.
A Familiar Homecoming
Ayton’s move to the Lakers also marks a homecoming of sorts. Originally from the Bahamas, he relocated to San Diego for high school and later starred at the University of Arizona. Returning to Southern California gives him both familiarity and a fresh opportunity on one of the league’s biggest stages.
Lakers Loading Up
Ayton’s signing is the latest in a series of bold moves by Lakers head coach JJ Redick and the front office. After last season’s early playoff exit, the team is clearly pivoting to a new era, building around a reimagined core that now includes Dončić, Ayton, and a returning LeBron James, who picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
With the roster still evolving and additional moves likely ahead of training camp, the Lakers are sending a clear message: they’re all-in on winning now, and Ayton’s presence could be a major piece in that puzzle.
