Breaking: LA Lakers Finally Land A New Starting Center

The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching high and low for a starting center ever since (and even before) they shipped out Anthony Davis last season. They were linked to nearly every available big man on the market, but have now finally landed their starting 'five', in Deandre Ayton.

BREAKING: Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Between Portland and L.A., Ayton will earn $34 million next season. Agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka. pic.twitter.com/FUeNAkN19K
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2025

It's a two-year, $16.6 million deal for Ayton in LA, but he will earn $34 million during the 2025-26 season between his buyout with Portland and his new deal with Los Angeles.

Ayton cleared waivers after he and the Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a contract buyout at the start of free agency.

Multiple teams contacted Ayton before it became clear that the Lakers were his preferred destination.

The Warriors, Bucks, and Pacers were among the lead contenders who reached out to Ayton's camp upon reports of a buyout in Portland, sources told @ClutchPoints.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 2, 2025

Multiple teams contacted Ayton before it became clear that the Lakers were his preferred destination, according to Brett Siegel. He mentions the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers as being among the lead contenders who reached out. Indiana, of course, recently lost its starting centers in free agency, when Myles Turner signed with the Bucks.

Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft spent an unimpressive two seasons in Portland after spending the first five years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, much of it embroiled in controversy as he was perennially upset with his contract.

But he'll provide the girth up front that the Lakers need, averaging a double-double every season of his career, with seven-year marks of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.