The Lakers accept the terms with the former center of Portland Deandre Ayton
The Lakers have finally obtained a center they desperately need when they accepted an agreement with Deandre Ayton, according to people who are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The Lakers were able to obtain Ayton after receiving a buyout from the Portland Trail blazer of his $ 35 million contract, renouncing about $ 10 million, according to reports. This opened the doors to the Lakers to get Ayton for $ 16 million in two seasons after eliminating the exemptions on Wednesday, according to people who are familiar with the agreement. Ayton holds a player option for the second season.
Announcement
Ayton marked on average 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds on 30.2 minutes per game for the blazer trail last season. But he only played in 40 games, missing every game after the All-Star break due to a calf injury.
At 26 and 7 feet, Ayton fills the need of the Lakers because of his age, dimensions and athleticism.
After the Lakers exchanged Anthony Davis with the Maverks last season for Luka Doncic, the team remained only with Jaxson Hayes in the center. Hayes was inefficient in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing his initial work after playing in the first four games.
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Announcement
When the free agency period started on Monday afternoon, the Lakers did not have a center on their list, which now have Ayton, which has an average of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in his seven -year career, making 59% of his shots.
The Lakers had been connected to the centers of free agents Brook Lopez, who accepted an agreement with the Clippers, and Clint Capela, who accepted an agreement with the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers had more money to spend on Ayton because Dorian Finney-Smith refused his option from $ 15.3 million with Los Angeles and accepted an agreement with the Houston Rockets for $ 53 million in four years.
Ayton was the first overall choice of the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft, two points in front of Doncic, which was selected third by the Atlanta Hawks and then exchanged with the Maverick.
Announcement
The Lakers see Ayton as a threat of the Lob together with Doncic, who worked well in Phoenix when Chris Paul was throwing the bottles in Ayton when they reached the NBA finals.
The Lakers feel good for the addition of Ayton because they have become younger, more mobile and more athletic.
In addition, the Lakers have been able to maintain a significant salary flexibility in the future and are expected to have $ 60 million in the PAC space next July.
The Lakers are not done, as they will continue to monitor the League for the roster updates through operations and other free agents.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.