Deandre Ayton Expected to Exercise $8M Player Option With Lakers
That choice makes trades or roster moves the more likely way Los Angeles will try to upgrade its starting center.
Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Saturday and Sunday that Ayton is expected to pick up his roughly $8.0–$8.1 million player option for the 2026–27 season.
- Lakers decision-makers still want a higher-level starting center and sources say an Ayton opt-in would push the team toward trade-driven upgrades or internal role changes rather than losing him to free agency.
- Ayton averaged about 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 2025–26 but was described in coverage as inconsistent, with head coach JJ Redick sometimes benching him late in games.
- Because the market for quality centers is thin and Ayton’s option is modest, he is both a cost-effective rotation piece and a tradable asset that could be used as salary filler in deals.
- Practically, the Lakers can now campaign for a new starter via trades or add a complementary big in free agency while Ayton returns with a one-year chance to re-establish his value after joining L.A. last summer by buyout.