NBA reports indicate the Los Angeles Lakers are set to sign free agent center Deandre Ayton. The deal is for two years and $16.6 million, including a player option for the second year. While Ayton was considered a good fit for the Lakers all summer, getting him at an affordable cost only became feasible lately.
Ayton was scheduled to make $35.5 million this season. Trading for him at that salary would have severely limited the Lakers` financial flexibility. However, his recent buyout from the Trail Blazers made him available at a much lower price, allowing the Lakers to sign him and preserve most of their cap space for other potential moves.
Before Ayton became unexpectedly available, the center options for the Lakers seemed limited. They failed to acquire Walker Kessler from the Jazz via trade. Other available free agents had significant drawbacks: Brook Lopez is aging at 37, Clint Capela (31) relies on declining athleticism, and Luke Kornet lacks starting experience. These players signed with other teams, and none offered the potential impact needed to fill the void.
Ayton offers the potential to be that impact player. As the top pick in the 2018 draft (ahead of Dončić), he fits the Lakers` pattern of targeting veterans with high draft pedigrees who haven`t fully reached their potential elsewhere. This approach paid off with Rui Hachimura, though less so with others. The goal is to acquire high-level talent below market value, hoping the team environment and star players can help them succeed.
Ayton appears receptive to this role. Reports indicate he sought a winning team after his buyout. He previously played on a successful team, reaching the 2021 NBA Finals with Phoenix, but that period also highlighted some concerns about his consistency.
In Phoenix, Ayton showed flashes of being a top center. He defended well, including against Nikola Jokić, and was an effective pick-and-roll option. Although not known for raw physicality, he contributed effectively to winning. Notably, in their 2021 Finals loss, the Suns performed significantly worse when he was off the court.
Despite criticisms of Phoenix`s management, they weren`t the team that offered Ayton the max deal he recently forfeited. Interestingly, the Indiana Pacers, a Finals team this year without high draft picks, were reportedly ready to give him a max contract. They were even linked to him again recently. Ayton`s potential remains very attractive.
However, concerns about his attitude have been persistent. His relationship with Phoenix deteriorated due to their reluctance regarding a max contract. His defensive effort reportedly waned there and continued to be inconsistent in Portland. He has also faced criticism for avoiding contact near the basket. His dismissive response to these points, stating he had “nothing to prove” as a “max player,” further fueled these concerns.
Now, he is no longer a max player, which likely made him more attractive to the Lakers. If his time in Portland led to maturity and a renewed commitment, this contract could be a steal. Considering the Lakers` limited assets and distance from contention earlier this summer, this low-cost, high-upside gamble might be their best path to becoming a championship threat. Acquiring a player of his talent level wouldn`t have been possible conventionally. Success here could significantly impact both the upcoming season and the long-term prospects.
A factor facilitating this move might be the shared agent between Ayton and Dončić, Bill Duffy. This relationship likely provided the Lakers with crucial insights into Ayton`s readiness and potential fit. At 27, Ayton aligns well with the age profiles of Dončić and Austin Reaves (also 27). A successful season could see him becoming a long-term piece for the team.
Even if it doesn`t fully work out, the risk is significantly lower than previous center pursuits. Signing Ayton as a free agent, though requiring some roster adjustments, is much less costly than, for instance, the package reportedly offered for Mark Williams (player, first-round pick, swap). Those assets are still available for other needs, particularly addressing wing depth, which the Lakers still require to truly contend.
Having saved their assets by signing Ayton cheaply means they still have resources for trades to acquire needed wing players. If Ayton doesn`t perform, the consequences are minimal, likely no worse than signing another less talented center. His unique upside, however, makes this move distinct. For the Lakers to make a substantial improvement without trading away valuable assets, Ayton represented the ideal target. It`s a low-risk, high-reward solution to a key offseason need.
Jasper Hawthorne