NBA Trades: Los Angeles Lakers Reel In C DeAndre Ayton From Portland Trail Blazers: Report

Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 15:38 IST

Ayton’s arrival addresses the Lakers’ most urgent need this offseason: a dependable presence in the paint.

DeAndre Ayton is set to leave the Blazers and move to LA (X)

Center DeAndre Ayton has reportedly agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent following a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend.

The former No. 1 overall pick will team up with Luka Dončić and LeBron James under a deal that includes a player option for the 2026–27 season. Despite the move, Ayton will still receive over $25 million from the Blazers while suiting up for the Lakers next year.

Ayton’s arrival addresses the Lakers’ most urgent need this offseason: a dependable presence in the paint. The 7-foot center will provide a reliable lob target for James and Dončić and bring much-needed size to the frontcourt.

While Ayton isn’t renowned for his defense, his physical presence is expected to help anchor a Lakers interior that has lacked a true big man since Anthony Davis was traded to Dallas in exchange for Dončić.

Proven Production Despite Struggles

Ayton, who turns 27 later this month, began his NBA career in Phoenix, where he spent five seasons before being sent to Portland in the three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Although his time with the Trail Blazers was inconsistent—partly due to playing on underperforming teams—Ayton has compiled solid career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59% from the field over seven seasons.

He was limited to just 40 games last season due to a strained calf suffered in February, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

Despite never making an All-Star appearance, Ayton holds a notable distinction: he is the only player to average a double-double in each of his first seven NBA seasons since former Lakers star Dwight Howard accomplished the feat over a decade ago.

Earlier in the summer, the Lakers also traded Jarred Vanderbilt and draft assets in a three-team deal to acquire versatile forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets, adding perimeter defense and three-point shooting.

(with AP inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports NBA Trades: Los Angeles Lakers Reel In C DeAndre Ayton From Portland Trail Blazers: Report