The Los Angeles Lakers have officially added Deandre Ayton to their roster, completing a long-awaited pairing with superstar Luka Doncic.
NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that the two have been “motivated” since entering the league together in 2018.
“Since they were selected as No. 1 and No. 3, Ayton and Luka Dončić ranked first in the 2018 NBA Draft, respectively,” Stein wrote. “The prospect of two teammates being realized first five years later,” he wrote. [Dallas] The Mavericks held senior trade talks with Phoenix and acquired Ayton along with the 2023 NBA Draft. However, these conversations eventually collapsed. Until now two years later, Will Ayton and Dončić officially became teammates later on Sunday. The Bahamas Big Man asked [Portland] The final season of the off-road blazer purchase contract, he promised to work with the Slovenian star on Wednesday after clearing the waiver. The players shared an agent – head of basketball at WME Sports – with the motivation to join forces given the Lakers’ noble demand for front-line centers. ”
The Lakers signed Ayton’s two-year contract shortly after the acquisition from Portland. The move took a clear hole in the center after Jaxson Hayes came on as a substitute in the 2025 playoffs.
Last season, Lar sent Anthony Davis to Dallas’ blockbuster deal to get them forward. With Ayton folding, the Lakers think they have found the perfect complement to Doncic skills.
Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and a block per game, shooting 56.6% from the field last season with the Trail Blazers.
He recorded double-double every year in his career and played a role in Phoenix’s entry to the 2021 NBA Finals.
Read more: Is LeBron James’ acquisition on the card?
