On Wednesday, July 2, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Deandre Ayton, filling their center vacancy ahead of the 2025-26 season, according to KTLA.
Ayton, 26, finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend before agreeing to a two-year deal with the Lakers worth about $34 million next season, Charania reported. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over seven seasons. His production dipped last season in Portland, and his career has been described as disappointing compared to fellow draftees like Luka Dončić (3rd pick), Jaren Jackson Jr. (4th), Trae Young (5th), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11th). He is expected to start immediately at center.
Earlier, on Monday, June 30, the Lakers signed Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million deal to strengthen their wings. LaRavia, 23, was the 19th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished last season with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.
That same day, Dorian Finney-Smith, 32, left the Lakers for the Houston Rockets on a four-year, $53 million contract. Acquired from the Brooklyn Nets last season, he played 43 games for the Lakers, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. The Rockets, who also added Kevin Durant, aim to strengthen their position in the Western Conference.
