Report: Ex-Suns center Deandre Ayton to join Luka Doncic by signing with Lakers

Former Phoenix Suns center and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the deal spans two years and is worth $16.6 million.

The news of the agreement comes after Ayton finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

Charania adds that Ayton and his representatives wanted to play in a “winning situation.”

The No. 1 pick appeared in 95 games across two seasons for the Trail Blazers and averaged 15.7 points on 59.7% shooting. He added 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks across 31.5 minutes per game.

His time in Portland wasn’t without its issues, though, including missing a game due to icy roads and picking up a back injury after sleeping on an air mattress.

He now joins a Lakers squad that features LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who went two picks after Ayton to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Doncic spent seven seasons with the Mavericks before a surprise midseason trade shipped him off to L.A.

Deandre Ayton’s Suns tenure

Ayton turned in five seasons with the Suns, averaging 16.7 points on 59.7% shooting. He added 10.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 30.6 minutes per game.

He picked up an All-Rookie Team nod in 2018-19 but failed to rise up to the lofty expectations surrounding him as a No. 1 pick.

Ayton went on to sign a max contract with Phoenix in 2022 after inking an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers before the Suns matched.

His time in Phoenix wouldn’t last much longer, though, as he butted heads with then-coach Monty Williams.

Ayton, Toumani Camara and a 2029 first-rounder pick were eventually dealt in 2023 as part of a three-team trade centered around Damian Lillard heading to Milwaukee.

Out of Phoenix’s return in the trade, sharpshooter Grayson Allen marks the only player still on the roster.

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