DeAndre Ayton's $16.2M deal with Los Angeles Lakers praised as one of the top offseason signings of 2025

DeAndre Ayton, a former center for the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, recently signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. It resolved their frontcourt problem.

With L.A. aiming for good results in the playoffs, DeAndre Ayton accepted the contract to join LeBron James and the rest of the team. However, many people weren't big supporters of the noteworthy free agency acquisition. Despite that, Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports praised the decision by naming the NBA legend's contract as one of the finest of the summer.

DeAndre Ayton joins the Los Angeles Lakers and aims to revive his career

The L.A. Lakers were in dire need of a center going into this offseason because their post-Dončić trade attempted to push Jaxson Hayes into a starting role the previous season.

Hence, it looked like the team might succeed completely in that area for at least a week of free agency.DeAndre Ayton secured a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become available. In his first seven NBA seasons, the 26-year-old former No. 1 overall choice has averaged a double-double.

The Arizona product is surely a good addition to the Lake Show, even though he isn't one of the most driven NBA players to ever step onto the court. DeAndre Ayton is a low-post player who is aware of his offensive limitations.

Additionally, he also uses his strong body to outmuscle opponents.Meanwhile, stating why it's one of the top offseason signings of 2025, Ben Rohrbach wrote on Thursday:"The Lakers could have done a lot worse than a 26-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick who has averaged a double-double in each of his first seven seasons in the NBA.”He continued:"I get that the Blazers paid him $25.6 million not to play for them this season.

I get that he has underwhelmed as a recent No. 1 overall pick, often demonstrating a lack of commitment to his team.”

He then added:"But if he can recommit to the brand of basketball that made him an invaluable member of the Phoenix Suns' 2021 NBA Finals run — protecting the rim, running in transition, finishing around the basket, and setting hard screens in the pick-and-roll for the Lakers' three best players — he should easily exceed his value.”DeAndre Ayton has demonstrated that he can contribute to planning a deep playoff run as a top-three scoring option. Hence, its safe to assume that Los Angeles compensated the player appropriately this summer. Also read: Is DeAndre Ayton leaving Portland Trail Blazers? His agent approached the team about a buy-out