Deandre Ayton, a free agent center, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources. The contract includes a player option and is worth $34 million next season. Ayton’s decision comes after a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played only 40 games this past season.
Ayton, who will turn 27 on July 23, averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 56.6% last season. He is one of four players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the past seven seasons. Ayton’s agents negotiated the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka.
The center will join Luka Doncic, his 2018 draft classmate, as a starting center for the Lakers. Multiple teams showed interest in Ayton, including the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets, before he chose to sign with Los Angeles.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45649142/lakers-reach-agreement-center-deandre-ayton