Lakers agree to terms with center Deandre Ayton
The Lakers finally obtained a center which they desperately needed when they accepted an agreement with Deandre Ayton, according to people who are not authorized to speak publicly about the issue.
The Lakers were able to get Ayton after receiving a takeover from the Portland Trail Blazers from his $ 35 million contract, abandoning approximately $ 10 million, reports. This opened the door to Lakers to get Ayton for $ 16 million in two season after eraseing the exemptions on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the agreement. Ayton has a player option for the second season.
Ayton collected an average of 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds over 30.2 minutes per match for the Trail Blazers last season. But he did not play in just 40 games, missing each match after the stars break due to a calf injury.
At 26 and 7 feet, Ayton meets the need for Lakers because of his age, size and athletics.
After the Lakers exchanged Anthony Davis at the Mavericks last season against Luka Doncic, the team had only Jaxson Hayes in the center. Hayes was ineffective in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing his starting job after playing in the first four games.
When the free period started on Monday afternoon, the Lakers did not have a center on their list, which they now have in Ayton, who has an average of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds during his seven-year career while doing 59% of his shots.
The Lakers were linked to Centers of Libre Brook Lopez, who accepted an agreement with the Clippers, and Clint Capela, who accepted an agreement with the Houston Rockets.
Lakers had more money to spend for Ayton because Dorian Finney-Smith refused his $ 15.3 million option with the and accepted an agreement with Houston Rockets for $ 53 million over four years.
Ayton was the first global choice by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA 2018 NBA draft, two places ahead of Doncic, which was selected third by the Hawks of Atlanta, then exchanged the Mavericks.
Lakers see Ayton as a lob threat alongside Doncic, which worked well in Phoenix when Chris Paul was throwing lobs in Ayton when they reached the NBA final.
Lakers feel good in the addition of Ayton because they have become younger, more mobile and more athletic.
In addition, the Lakers were able to maintain significant flexibility of salary wages in the future and should have $ 60 million in the ceiling space next July.
The Lakers have not finished because they will continue to monitor the League for upgrading of alignment via professions and other free agents.
