Deandre Ayton has signed a two-year, $16.6 million deal (including a player option) with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports. From the Portland Trail Blazers' standpoint, our immediate reaction was: You can have him.
This is a noticeable upgrade for the Lakers, who had the worst center rotation in the league last season following their blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis deal. Ayton is a starting-caliber center in the league, averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this past season in Portland.
That's solid value for the Lakers, given their current situation. But it also highlights their desperation, adding a flawed big man such as Ayton in hopes of him being their championship solution alongside LeBron James and Doncic.
Lakers fans will soon understand the frustrating Deandre Ayton experience
Looking around the league, the best modern-day bigs are either elite as a rim protector or a floor spacer. There are exceptions as well, such as Alperen Sengun. But Ayton doesn't fit into any of these categories.
He's an offensive-minded center who gets lost on defense and only shot 18.8 percent from three (despite his willingness to attempt them). We saw how successful Doncic was in Dallas with lob threats such as Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II at his disposal. Ayton does have size and athleticism for a big man, but he's not necessarily the same type of player.
His bread-and-butter comes from the midrange, something that could potentially become a clunky fit when paired with James and Doncic. Not to mention, the Lakers are going to have a tough time stopping anyone on defense when guards can blow by Doncic with ease, only to not be effectively contested at the rim by Ayton.
We understand that the Lakers had limited options with players like Clint Capela landing elsewhere. There's also a possibility that Ayton winds up playing his best basketball in Los Angeles. James' leadership could hold him accountable, and the Lakers should have success, which seems to be a frustrating determining factor in Ayton's motor and the amount of effort he expends.
But there's also a world where the problems that have plagued "DominAyton" throughout his time in Phoenix and Portland are only exacerbated by the spotlight of Los Angeles, James, and Doncic.
No matter how this ultimately plays out, Blazers fans have to be relieved that Portland is no longer the team that has to deal with this volatile situation. And the fact that it's the Lakers makes it that much better.