Deandre Ayton agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers following a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. He will earn $34 million next season. Ayton's representatives negotiated the contract with Lakers president Rob Pelinka after Ayton expressed his desire to be in a winning environment. He has received high praise for his leadership and mentoring abilities. In Los Angeles, Ayton will serve as the starting center and partner with Luka Doncic, forming a notable connection given their concurrent top draft selections in 2018.
Deandre Ayton has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season, earning $34 million between Portland and L.A. His agents finalized the agreement with Lakers president Rob Pelinka.
Ayton sought a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, expressing a desire to play in a winning environment amidst the team's young center roster. He received positive feedback about his leadership.
In Los Angeles, Ayton will assume the starting center position and team up with Luka Doncic, both of whom were top picks in the 2018 draft.
Ayton cleared free agency waivers before meeting with interested teams and ultimately chose the Lakers to join their historic lineage of talented big men.
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