Deandre Ayton’s tour of the West Coast has a new stop: Los Angeles.
The former Arizona Wildcats All-American big man has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Ayton will make $34 million next season, and his deal comes with a player option.
BREAKING: Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Between Portland and L.A., Ayton will earn $34 million next season. Agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka. pic.twitter.com/FUeNAkN19K
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2025
It’s a two-year, $16.6 million agreement between Deandre Ayton and Los Angeles, hitting the Lakers’ books for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Player option in Year 2. https://t.co/VvAeVs72cD
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 2, 2025
Ayton finalized a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend to become a free agent. He spent two seasons with Portland after playing five seasons with the Phoenix Suns.
The 7-foot center was selected No. 1 by the Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft, two spots ahead of Luka Doncic, who fell to the Dallas Mavericks. Ayton and Doncic’s careers have often been compared to each other. Now they’ll be teammates for at least the next two seasons.
Ayton will get to play with LeBron James, assuming James doesn’t request a trade from the Lakers this offseason. LeBron’s son, Bryce James, is an incoming freshman at Arizona, giving him and Ayton something to immediately bond over.
Ayton gives the Lakers an upgrade at the center position after Los Angeles traded Anthony Davis to Dallas for Doncic last season. Ayton has averaged a double-double all seven seasons he’s been in the NBA.
Ayton nevertheless has faced plenty of criticism for not living up to the potential of a former No. 1 pick. He’s had trouble staying healthy, and his effort level has been questioned at times.
Even so, Ayton is a valuable commodity in the NBA, and the $34 million he’s set to earn next season proves it. Ayton is on pace to have one of the most lucrative NBA careers of any former Arizona player.