{"id":148634,"date":"2025-07-03T11:50:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=148634"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:50:57","slug":"what-deandre-ayton-means-for-luka-lebron-and-the-lakers-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/03\/what-deandre-ayton-means-for-luka-lebron-and-the-lakers-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"How Deandre Ayton Affects Luka, LeBron And The Lakers Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES \u2013\u00a0<\/b>Deandre Ayton<\/a> will join the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> on a two-year, $16 million deal with a player option next season,\u00a0 salvaging their offseason. The Lakers finally secured the starting center they have searched for since trading Anthony Davis<\/a> to the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Deandre Ayton Affects Luka, LeBron And The Lakers Offseason<\/h2>\n

Though Ayton looked like an ideal Lakers center target since the regular season, they only found a deal recently. Ayton was set to earn $35.5 million this season. Matching that salary in a trade would have cost the Lakers every extra tradeable contract they had. Instead, Ayton secured a buyout from the Trail Blazers<\/a> on Sunday night, hours before free agency opened. That opened the door for him to sign in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

How The Lakers Value Pedigree<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Deandre
Jan 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Lakers value pedigree, especially when it involves lottery picks. Ayton, the former No. 1 pick ahead of teammate Luka Don\u010di\u0107 <\/a>(third), brings big-game experience. He helped the Phoenix Suns<\/a> reach the NBA Finals four years ago.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles had looked at Clint Capela<\/a>, Luke Kornet<\/a>, and Brook Lopez<\/a>. All signed with their West Coast rivals instead. Capela, productive and athletic, would have fit perfectly. But Ayton might have the highest upside of the bunch.<\/p>\n

The Lakers trust their culture to get the best out of undervalued talent. They turned Malik Monk<\/a> into a $77 million player for Sacramento<\/a>. Rui Hachimura,<\/a> another former lottery pick, became a starter for the Lakers in the Western conference finals. The front office hopes Ayton can follow that path.<\/p>\n

The Lakers\u2019 Big Swing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Los Angeles aims to land talent below market value, then unlock it. But Ayton brings baggage too. The Athletic\u2019s Jason Quick reported<\/a> that Portland let him walk because he skipped rehab sessions, arrived late to flights, and resisted substitutions for poor play.<\/p>\n

The Lakers believe they can fix that. Unlike Portland, they compete for championships. ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported Ayton wanted a winning team when he pushed for the buyout. He\u2019s played deep into June before. When the Suns reached the Finals, they won his minutes by nine and lost by 23 when he sat.<\/p>\n

Luka Connection Greases The Wheels<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most intriguing subplot: Don\u010di\u0107 and Ayton share an agent, Bill Duffy. That tie likely gave the Lakers insight into Ayton\u2019s mindset. Luka will also be the best lob passer Ayton has played with \u2014 yes, better than Chris Paul<\/a>. If Ayton buys in, the Luka-Ayton duo could thrive.<\/p>\n

At 27, Ayton matches Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s timeline. He also fits alongside Austin Reaves<\/a>, who is also 27. If this gamble pays off, Ayton could stick as part of the long-term core. The Lakers will have cap space next summer. They could spend big if LeBron James<\/a> leaves.<\/p>\n

Uncertainty Swirls Around LeBron<\/strong><\/h3>\n

LeBron\u2019s status adds another wrinkle. On First Take<\/em>, ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst said the Lakers and LeBron \u201cdid not have substantive discussions\u201d before he opted in. That\u2019s unusual for a LeBron team. Windhorst said, \u201cWhat happens to expiring contracts in the NBA? They\u2019re viewed as trade pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n