Overview

• Ayton joined the Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers and signing a two-year contract worth $16.1 million, including a player option for the second year.
• Los Angeles had identified the center position as its biggest roster weakness after last season’s playoff exit and pursued multiple avenues, including a failed medical-dependent trade for Mark Williams.
• The 26-year-old averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over seven NBA seasons while shooting 59 percent from the field, marking him as a proven interior scorer and rebounder.
• In order to facilitate the move, Ayton waived portions of his remaining Portland salary in his buyout, reflecting a growing trend of veterans reshaping their careers via cost-saving transitions.
• This acquisition caps a broader frontcourt revamp that began when the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to Dallas for Luka Doncic in February as they aim to balance star firepower with positional depth.