Huge Upgrade at Center: Lakers, Deandre Ayton Agree to 2-Year, $16.6 Million Contract

The Lakers have a center, and he's a pretty good one. Certainly a lot better than could reasonably have been hoped at the start of the offseason. Particularly at a tidy price of $8.3 million a year, for two years. On Wednesday, the Lakers agreed to terms with former Suns and Portland center Deandre Ayton, who was bought out by the Blazers over the weekend. 

Ayton comes with a lot of baggage, namely around health, motor and attention to detail, but is unquestionably productive. He's never averaged fewer than 10 rebounds a year, and has been a reliable source of 14-18 points a night. He's a viable lob threat, and an excellent pick and roll player. Defensively, Ayton isn't perfect, but is (when engaged) mobile on the perimeter, very solid on the defensive glass and with a 7'6" wingspan, can be a decent deterrent around the rim. 

So especially when you consider the Lakers surrendered nothing but (very below market) money to get him, Ayton represents as good an outcome as could be hoped for. Frankly, it's another example of a player just kind of landing in their laps, and taking advantage of it. But whatever. The Lakers have a significant upgrade at their biggest position of need, and still have tools to make some more modest improvements to the roster. 

All in all, a good day, one that should improve the mood around Laker Land and buy Rob Pelinka a little time to keep improving the team. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sign Ayton. 

 

SEGMENT 2: How's the fit? 

 

SEGMENT 3: What's next? 

 

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