Overview

• Los Angeles signed center Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal with a player option for 2026-27 after his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers
• Lakers president Rob Pelinka described Ayton as an ideal starting-caliber center whose size and mobility bolster both paint scoring and protection
• The team re-signed Jaxson Hayes and Jake LaRavia to deepen frontcourt options under coach JJ Redick’s system
• Pelinka is operating under the NBA’s first-apron hard cap, prioritizing buyouts and exceptions to sustain roster flexibility
• Los Angeles remains active on the buyout market for backcourt upgrades, with Bradley Beal expected to become an unrestricted free agent drawing interest from multiple contenders