Deandre Ayton Articles - Page 2

After Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton received conflicting predictions on his new tenure with the Lakers, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins warned the veteran center of the expectations that await. This is a tremendous opportunity alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. After Ayton delivered a message to Los Angeles fans and its front office, Perkins reminded […]

As the NBA world reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Deandre Ayton signing, two conflicting views from his former employers, the Phoenix Suns and Portland Blazers, have reportedly weighed in on the veteran center’s fit. The Blazers’ former staffer has high hopes for Ayton and the Lakers, while the Suns’ former staffer doesn’t think DeAndre […]

The Lakers just made a major move in NBA Free Agency, and Luka Doncic is all in. After weeks of speculation and failed trade talks, Los Angeles signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal. The addition gives them a true center with size, athleticism, and playoff experience. More importantly, it answers a roster gap Doncic […]

They might be losing LeBron James, but the Los Angeles Lakers found their center by signing Deandre Ayton in free agency. While head coach JJ Redick is clearly on board with the move, he has been higher on Ayton than many others for a while. Shortly after the Lakers announced the deal, a clip of […]

While the Los Angeles Lakers signed center DeAndre Ayton, obtaining a starting center that was needed coming out of last season, the biggest storyline has been around star LeBron James. With all the rumors surrounding the Lakers and James, this NBA insider provides a certain scenario that would be questionable for the team. After James […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and Deandre Ayton have agreed to a contract after the seven-year veteran was bought out Monday by the Portland Trail Blazers. According to sources close to the team, they’re focus will now shift to wings and further center depth, whether that can be found on the free agency or trade markets. […]

The Los Angeles Lakers finally made a big move in the offseason after signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal following his buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers have been in search of a dependable big man since the departure of Anthony Davis. When healthy and motivated, Ayton can provide instant double-doubles for […]

When the Los Angeles Lakers allowed Dorian Finney-Smith to walk in free agency after he opted out of his contract, they suddenly found themselves with the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal. That gave them around $14 million to spend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as a surprise free agent […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent addition of Deandre Ayton has not only addressed a critical roster need but also added an unexpected layer to LeBron James’ already historic resume. With Ayton’s arrival, James will now have played alongside nine No. 1 overall NBA Draft picks during his career, a staggering stat that only adds to […]

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 offseason with one goal; sign a starting center. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka missed out on his top targets on the first night of free agency. A couple of days later, Los Angeles finally filled the hole, signing former Portland Trail Blazers big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and Deandre Ayton, the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, have agreed to a 2-year contract in free agency, league sources told ClutchPoints. This contract with Los Angeles contains a player option in the second year, allowing Ayton to potentially maximize his value after the 2025-26 season. Ayton, 26, was […]

The Los Angeles Lakers were immediately linked to Deandre Ayton after news broke that the Portland Trail Blazers were buying him out. ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported the Lakers as a “reluctant favorite” for Ayton on Tuesday, and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line later said the “safest forecast” is the big man teaming up with […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been put on the clock by LeBron James, who, after opting in, said (via his agent Rich Paul) that he and his camp will be assessing the team’s roster and may look for a move elsewhere if the Purple and Gold fail to find the requisite pieces to mold the […]

In an era where centers are now valued more than almost any other position, a former first overall pick who has averaged a double-double for his career and played in a Finals series is a free agent. He hasn’t suffered any major, career-threatening surgeries. He hasn’t had any off-court controversies or criminal activity. He’s just […]

Deandre Ayton is one of the most intriguing NBA free agents on the market this summer, and it looks like the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are the most interested in acquiring his services. By trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and with their midseason trade for Mark Williams falling apart due to a […]

Since his release from the Portland Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton has received serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. While the move makes sense on paper, the apparent reason why Ayton is available in the first place should concern any team looking to sign him. Following Ayton’s release, details emerged suggesting the […]

The Los Angeles Lakers remain the top suitors for DeAndre Ayton following the center’s buyout with the Portland Blazers. For many, Ayton is best suited to address the Lakers’ needs at center as a rim protector who can clean up around the glass. One NBA insider believes there’s a strong chance, Chris Haynes. Ayton signing […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as the favorite to sign Brook Lopez away from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to sources close to the situation. Lopez, 37, would provide much-needed size and spacing, though the organization is split internally on whether he can still start full-time at this stage of his career. Sources also indicate […]

After trading Jusuf Nurkic in exchange for Colin Sexton, the Charlotte Hornets are lacking a veteran center heading into the offseason. Their perfect replacement could have just recently hit the open market with Deandre Ayton’s recent buyout from the Portland Trailblazers. Ayton averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds in 40 games for the Blazers last […]

Before reaching a buyout with their starting center, the Portland Blazers explored DeAndre Ayton’s market value. However, there was one caveat that threw a wrench into the Blazers’ attempts, leading to a buyout that suddenly launched Ayton to become a sought-after center in free agency. Still, Portland reportedly tried to land a deal centered around […]

After reaching a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton becomes a top free-agent center ahead of the busiest time of the year for NBA executives. One of the few teams mentioned as early as a potential suitor is the Los Angeles Lakers, whom ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins agrees could help LeBron James and […]

Less than 24 hours before the start of NBA free agency, an intriguing name was added to the mix for teams to battle for. Deandre Ayton, the first pick from the 2018 NBA Draft, is finalizing a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers and will be free to sign with any team in the […]

After a historic NBA title run in 2024 and a bitterly fought campaign in 2025 that fell just short, the Boston Celtics found themselves at a crossroads. With a core led by Jayson Tatum, who is out for the majority of the new season, and Jaylen Brown, they had built a roster that was the […]

The 2025 NBA free agency period doesn’t officially begin until Monday, but several teams have already agreed in principle to new contracts with their own free agents as permitted by the league’s CBA. But as of Sunday evening, a surprising name hit the free agent market. The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a contract buyout […]

On Sunday night, amid the Portland Trail Blazers’ logjam at center, they decided to agree with Deandre Ayton on a contract buyout — sending Ayton to free agency. And just as fate would have it, there is a team in desperate need of a starting-caliber center in the Los Angeles Lakers, who may have just […]

The Portland Trail Blazers made a big and surprising move before free agency begins, as they came to an agreement on a buyout with one of their centers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN,” Charania […]

The Portland Trail Blazers had a logjam at the center position long before they drafted yet another big man in the 2025 NBA Draft. The selection of Yang Hansen all but assures that the Trail Blazers have to trade Deandre Ayton. One team that now has a hole at the five spot after draft day […]

The Phoenix Suns are stuck in no-man’s land. Despite having the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix found itself out of the playoffs with a measly 36-46 record to end the 2024-25 season. After the season, the Suns traded Durant to the Houston Rockets and now the Suns are headed towards […]

As the Los Angeles Lakers head into a pivotal offseason focused on building around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, new trade scenarios continue to emerge. In a recent podcast, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha revealed fresh intel on how the Portland Trail Blazers are valuing their assets — and what it might mean for the Lakers’ […]

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the biggest fleeces of all time when they traded for Luka Doncic. While that deal involving Anthony Davis was a must-do for the Lakers, it actually left the team with a somewhat questionable fit on the roster. Austin Reaves broke out in a big way this season, […]

The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to explore trade opportunities involving center Deandre Ayton and forward Jerami Grant this offseason, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel. The potential moves signal a continued reshaping of Portland’s roster following a 36-46 finish to the 2024-25 season, a 15-win improvement from the year prior. The team is currently […]

The Portland Trail Blazers may not quite be at the level required yet to be a playoff team in the Western Conference, but they have been making steady progress over the past few seasons. In fact, they won 36 games in the 2024-25 season, their best mark over the past four seasons. And there’s plenty […]

In Monday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton suffered a non-contact injury. During the third quarter, Ayton grabbed his leg and reacted immediately after a possession on offense. The team called a timeout on the next possession to remove him from the game. Ayton played just 19 minutes before […]

The Portland Trail Blazers (17-29) are set to host the Milwaukee Bucks (26-18) Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT as they continue their seven-game homestand. The Trail Blazers’ latest injury report lists starting center Deandre Ayton as questionable with a left knee sprain. Ayton has been sidelined for Portland’s last three games after […]

With less than two weeks to go until the NBA trade deadline, teams across the league are carefully assessing how to bolster their chances—whether for this season or the seasons ahead. The Chicago Bulls are no exception, finding themselves at the center of trade rumors as the February 6 deadline looms. Much of the speculation […]

The Portland Trail Blazers have been mired in a rebuild for the past four seasons, so it’s not exactly a surprise for when they lose ballgames even against the worst teams in the association. On Tuesday night, however, they lost to another team that has already punted on the 2024-25 season in the Brooklyn Nets, […]

The Portland Trail Blazers will host the Miami Heat on Saturday night. The Blazers have struggled in the 2024-25 season, but they have an opportunity to earn a big victory at home on Saturday. However, is center Deandre Ayton playing in the game? Ayton is dealing with left calf soreness. He is listed on the […]

Despite their 13-24 record, the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2024-25 tank is rolling along. Ultimately, the Blazers want to win big in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, not the regular season. With some established veterans on their roster, like big man Deandre Ayton, that could throw a wrench in things. So, with the annual NBA trade […]

As the 2024-25 NBA season progresses, the Chicago Bulls find themselves at a critical juncture. With a 17-20 record, they remain stuck in the middle of the pack. They seem unable to break into the top tier of the league. Despite the occasional standout performances from stars like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls […]