The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $34 million deal after his buyout in Portland, securing their new starting center alongside recent wing addition Jake LaRavia.
After adding forward Jake LaRavia in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have found their new starting center.
Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the LA Lakers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Between Portland and Los Angeles, Ayton will earn $34 million next season.
Ayton is joining the Lakers on a two-year contract that includes a player option.
The 2018 No. 1 overall pick gives the Lakers a proven presence in the paint. He is the only player in NBA history to average at least 15 points per game while shooting over 60% in the postseason.
Over his seven-year career, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 59% from the field.
Last season, he posted career lows in scoring and free-throw shooting, averaging 14.4 points per game and hitting 66.7% from the line, along with 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton's contract last weekend.
Ayton, who turns 27 this month, spent his first five seasons with the Phoenix Suns before joining the Trail Blazers two years ago as part of the three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.
By signing LaRavia and Ayton, the Lakers have addressed two of their biggest needs at the wing and center positions.
