NBA Rumors: Lakers Predicted To Land $35 Million Former No. 1 Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, struggled in part due to their lack of a reliable starting center. 

Addressing this need is a priority, and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has identified former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton as a potential target.

Ayton, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, has shown flashes of dominance but has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career. 

"The 26-year-old center has averaged a double-double (16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds) for his career. And he's never played with a creator quite like Luka.

"His volume and efficiency as a scorer could both climb as Luka's lob threat. And while he's not known as a great rim protector, he's an upgrade over Hayes on that end. He's also better than a lot of other seven-footers at surviving on the perimeter after switches."

Last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game—solid numbers, though not quite living up to his max contract (four years, $132 million).

While his salary makes a trade complicated, Bailey suggests the Lakers wouldn’t need to surrender significant draft capital to acquire him. At 26, Ayton still has untapped potential, and playing alongside a playmaker like Luka Dončić—who has elevated the games of lesser big men—could unlock his best form.

However, Ayton’s motor and defensive limitations remain concerns. The Suns moved on from him in 2023 due to these issues, and while he could thrive in a new system, the Lakers have never been strongly linked to him—though that could change.

If the Lakers pursue Ayton, they’d likely need to include salary-matching pieces but could still retain flexibility for additional moves. 

While not the most probable scenario, he’s one of several centers the Lakers could target to bolster their frontcourt and make a deeper playoff push.

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