Breaking News: Ayton Set to Join the Lakers on Exciting 2-Year Deal!

Free agent center Deandre Ayton has officially signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, as reported by ESPN. This contract includes a player option, giving Ayton flexibility for his future.

Next season, Ayton is set to earn $34 million between his time with the Lakers and his previous team, the Portland Trail Blazers. His agents negotiated the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka, indicating a strong desire for Ayton to join a winning team.

Ayton recently finalized a buyout with Portland because he wanted to be part of a team focused on winning and had concerns about the competition for playing time at center. Teams like the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets expressed interest in him, with good reviews highlighting his leadership skills.

With the Lakers, Ayton will likely take on the starting center role, partnering with 2018 draft mate Luka Doncic. Both players were top picks in the same draft, and their history adds excitement to this new chapter.

At 26, Ayton has shown impressive stats throughout his career. Last season, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, maintaining a shooting percentage of 56.6. He’s one of only four players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the past seven seasons, joining the ranks of stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Vucevic.

Despite playing only 40 games last season with Portland, Ayton has a solid track record. He averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds during his five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and made the All-Rookie Team in 2019.

As Ayton steps into this new role, fans are eager to see how his skills will contribute to the Lakers’ pursuit of a championship. Given the team’s recent struggles, Ayton’s addition could be a game-changer.

For more insights on NBA trades and player statistics, check out ESPN or NBA.com.

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