Deandre Ayton Chose Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Dončić Despite Interest from 5 Teams
After the Portland Trail Blazers and Deandre Ayton agreed to a buyout, the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft received interest from five teams.
However, Ayton chose to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining forces with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves.
“Deandre Ayton received exploratory interest from the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks (before agreeing to a deal with Myles Turner) before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype,” NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported.
“Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Dončić, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes. Following success playing with guards such as Chris Paul and Ricky Rubio in Phoenix, Ayton hopes to recreate that playmaking chemistry with Dončić.”
Between the Trail Blazers and Lakers, Ayton will make $34 million next season. The big man signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with Los Angeles.
Dončić and Ayton have the same agent, Bill Duffy. Dončić was the third pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
In 40 games for the Trail Blazers last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 56.6% from the floor and 66.7% from the free-throw line. He had 20 double-doubles.
Ayton, 26, has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds. He helped the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021.
Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with the Lakers last season after the Dallas Mavericks traded him in February. The future Hall of Famer put up 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the Minnesota Timberwolves series.
The Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite having Dončić and James, two of the best players in NBA history. Los Angeles didn’t have a center to stop Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, which is why the franchise is excited about adding Ayton.
A five-time All-Star, Dončić can sign a contract extension with the Lakers on August 2 for as much as four years and $229 million. The superstar can also agree to a two-year extension to get him to 10 years of service in the summer of 2028, when he could sign a five-year max contract at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.
Latest NBA News & Rumors
- Lakers’ LeBron James Spotted at Cavaliers Practice Facility Friday
- Los Angeles Lakers Got ‘a Few Inquiries From Eyebrow-Raised Teams’ on LeBron James
- Sources: Golden State Warriors Still Expected to Sign Al Horford
- Dallas Mavericks Have Specific Condition to Add LeBron James Amid Rumors
- Chris Paul Expected to Sign With Bucks, Clippers or Suns
