Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources confirmed by ESPN. The 25-year-old center will earn a combined $34 million for the upcoming NBA season through financial arrangements involving both Portland and Los Angeles.
Ayton’s agents — Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports — finalized the deal with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka. Details of the contract structure and potential incentives have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers after five seasons with the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during the 2023–24 season.
With this acquisition, the Lakers aim to reinforce their frontcourt alongside Anthony Davis and address depth and rebounding issues exposed during last year’s playoff run.
