Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers following a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Ayton, 26, finalized the buyout over the weekend and has agreed to a deal with the Lakers that includes a player option for the 2026–27 season.
With the combination of the buyout payment from Portland and his new deal with Los Angeles, Ayton is expected to make approximately $34 million next season.
The Lakers intend to slot him into their starting center role as part of their strategy to strengthen the roster for the upcoming NBA season.
Ayton brings career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. His addition is expected to provide a strong presence in the paint alongside Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
The official team announcement is still pending, but final terms of the agreement are being completed.
