Deandre Ayton Got Text From Luka Dončić After Signing With Los Angeles Lakers, Hasn’t Heard From LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers have two of the top three picks from the 2018 NBA Draft after signing Deandre Ayton, who was the first pick in 2018. Luka Dončić, acquired by the Lakers last season from the Dallas Mavericks, was the third pick in 2018. Los Angeles now has a “Big 3” of Dončić, Ayton, and LeBron James.
Ayton and Dončić have the same agent (Bill Duffy), so they have a rapport. Ayton told ESPN LA that he received a text message from Dončić after signing with the Lakers.
However, Ayton has not heard from James, the leading scorer in NBA history.
James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
However, not only has Los Angeles not announced that James picked up his player option for next season, but the franchise’s relationship with LeBron is reportedly not in a good place.
“I wanna be careful with what I say about like Bron’s relationship with the front office or the organization, but I don’t think it’s in like the best place right now to be completely honest,” Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said. “There’s been no official statement about LeBron opting in. There typically is, especially for a player of that magnitude.
“And then he’s had his stuff on social media or whatever, he’s posted, and there was obviously the statement when he opted in. So I don’t think things are in the best place they’ve ever been. I’ll just say that.”
James’s contract has a no-trade clause, so if he requests a trade, the Lakers must trade the NBA legend.
Ayton, who turns 27 on July 23, averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks for the Portland Trail Blazers last season while shooting 56.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line. He began his career with the Phoenix Suns.
An Arizona product, Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebound,s and 1.0 blocks in 398 games with the Suns and Trail Blazers. The center helped Phoenix make the NBA Finals in 2021.
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