With added pressure coming from LeBron James’ camp, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the clock to attempt to bolster the team’s roster in order to compete in a loaded Western Conference. There are no shortage of centers who have been linked to the Lakers, but the team could be making a push to land a former No. 1 pick.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, it would be an upset if the Lakers do not sign Deandre Ayton after the center received a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Right now, it still does seem that Deandre Ayton’s best opportunity to get paid to make up the $10 million that he gave in a buyout back to Portland, which we reported last night, could be in Los Angeles where the Lakers are certainly weighing a run at him,” Fischer explained during a July 1, 2025, live stream.
“… I would be surprised if Ayton’s not the guy in L.A. I just don’t see a better earning opportunity for him where most of the big men are already off the board. The Lakers need a starting-level center.”
LeBron James Plans to Evaluate His Future With Lakers: Agent
The Lakers have had a quiet start to the offseason, aside from James’ agent Rich Paul issuing a bombshell statement about the superstar’s future ahead of NBA free agency. Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania that James’ camp wants “to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul noted on June 29. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
Lakers Rumors: Bucks Signing Myles Turner Creates Clear Path for Deandre Ayton to Join LA
Ayton was previously on a four-year, $132.9 million contract with the Blazers that was slated to go through 2026. The big man was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Yet, Ayton is not expected to land anything close to his previously lucrative deal now that the center is a free agent.
Last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and one block per game in 40 starts for Portland. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes that the Lakers will likely land Ayton now that the Bucks signed Myles Turner.
“This (Bucks signing Myles Turner) has Lakers ramifications because the Lakers were competing with the Bucks for DeAndre Ayton,” Windhorst explained during a July 1, episode of “First Take.” “And so this leaves Deandre Ayton to go to the Lakers to be their starting center as a possible ramification of it.”
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