Deandre Ayton is the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The center has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $16.6 million, which includes a player option for the 2026–27 season. The Lakers are hoping that Ayton can be the final piece of the puzzle and fill the void at the center position that has plagued them over the past few seasons.
However, there are some risks associated with signing Ayton. His work ethic has been questioned in the past, and the expectations with a Lakers squad led by LeBron James will be daunting. Still, there’s potential for Ayton to thrive as a lob threat in Los Angeles’ frontcourt. Time will tell, but this appears to be a low-risk, high-reward type of deal for the Lakers—especially given the terms of the contract.
