Deandre Ayton received exploratory interest from the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks (before agreeing to a deal with Myles Turner) before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype.
Source: HoopsHype
Source: HoopsHype
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Story: Reporting on the future of Jonas Valanciunas, why Deandre Ayton committed to the Los Angeles Lakers over several other teams, and NBA free agency rumblings for @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-inte… – 1:46 PM
Story: Reporting on the future of Jonas Valanciunas, why Deandre Ayton committed to the Los Angeles Lakers over several other teams, and NBA free agency rumblings for @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-inte… – 1:46 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Analyzing the Lakers’ offseason and remaining needs with @khobi_price:
— Grading LA through the first few days
— How Ayton and LaRavia fit
— The biggest remaining needs
— LA’s place in the West
(We recorded this before the Jaxson Hayes signing, but our analysis doesn’t pic.x.com/L2zeqMFKCc – 10:46 PM
Analyzing the Lakers’ offseason and remaining needs with @khobi_price:
— Grading LA through the first few days
— How Ayton and LaRavia fit
— The biggest remaining needs
— LA’s place in the West
(We recorded this before the Jaxson Hayes signing, but our analysis doesn’t pic.x.com/L2zeqMFKCc – 10:46 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
One other Lakers/Wiggins/Heat thought: Now that Ayton has committed to Lakers, LA does not need to save its one remaining tradable first for a big. That in theory would make it more realistic for that first to be used for Wiggins (if Lakers choose to). If I’m the Heat, I don’t do – 12:26 PM
One other Lakers/Wiggins/Heat thought: Now that Ayton has committed to Lakers, LA does not need to save its one remaining tradable first for a big. That in theory would make it more realistic for that first to be used for Wiggins (if Lakers choose to). If I’m the Heat, I don’t do – 12:26 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Ayton Helps, Lakers Need More Moves | Windhorst On Lebron’s Future | Bronny Not Paying Attention x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Ayton Helps, Lakers Need More Moves | Windhorst On Lebron’s Future | Bronny Not Paying Attention x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
New Lakers center Deandre Ayton is currently in his mother’s home country of Jamaica where his charitable foundation is refurbishing the local community center, installing electricity, providing school supplies and implementing a mobile medical unit for pre-school check-ups. – 10:34 AM
New Lakers center Deandre Ayton is currently in his mother’s home country of Jamaica where his charitable foundation is refurbishing the local community center, installing electricity, providing school supplies and implementing a mobile medical unit for pre-school check-ups. – 10:34 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“[LeBron] has played now with seven guys who have been the first overall pick, if in fact he does end up playing with [Deandre Ayton]”
@TermineRadio w/ Ryan McDonough, on reports that Ayton will join L.A., and what it means for the growing list of #1 picks LeBron’s played with pic.x.com/V8nKa4L1kO – 10:00 AM
“[LeBron] has played now with seven guys who have been the first overall pick, if in fact he does end up playing with [Deandre Ayton]”
@TermineRadio w/ Ryan McDonough, on reports that Ayton will join L.A., and what it means for the growing list of #1 picks LeBron’s played with pic.x.com/V8nKa4L1kO – 10:00 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Tune into The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine!
🌆 Knicks Hire Mike Brown
👀 Lakers Sign Deandre Ayton
🏀 Latest on Damian Lillard
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/VUl4ps2Q6p – 7:02 AM
Tune into The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine!
🌆 Knicks Hire Mike Brown
👀 Lakers Sign Deandre Ayton
🏀 Latest on Damian Lillard
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/VUl4ps2Q6p – 7:02 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
The Los Angeles Lakers power up inside the paint with Deandre Ayton
👉 Luka Doncic is reportedly excited about the new addition
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 2:36 AM
The Los Angeles Lakers power up inside the paint with Deandre Ayton
👉 Luka Doncic is reportedly excited about the new addition
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 2:36 AM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s talking about Clayton Kershaw recording his 3,000th strikeout, an injury update on Max Muncy, the Lakers signing Deandre Ayton and perhaps looking to add another top three draft pick from the 2018 NBA draft class. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:10 AM
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s talking about Clayton Kershaw recording his 3,000th strikeout, an injury update on Max Muncy, the Lakers signing Deandre Ayton and perhaps looking to add another top three draft pick from the 2018 NBA draft class. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:10 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Late, but I’d be surprised if LAL signs Horford after using the MLE on Ayton. – 10:37 PM
Late, but I’d be surprised if LAL signs Horford after using the MLE on Ayton. – 10:37 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Lakers get their center, agree to two-year contract with former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton
He was the best available option on the free agent center market, and he’s a great fit on paper. But being a great fit on paper may be the story of Ayton’s career.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/laker… – 7:05 PM
Lakers get their center, agree to two-year contract with former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton
He was the best available option on the free agent center market, and he’s a great fit on paper. But being a great fit on paper may be the story of Ayton’s career.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/laker… – 7:05 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
First overall picks to play on a team with LeBron:
— Joe Smith
— Shaquille O’Neal
— Greg Oden
— Kyrie Irving
— Andrew Bogut
— Derrick Rose
— Anthony Davis
— Dwight Howard
and Deandre Ayton. pic.x.com/OLvQ0n1EbO – 6:32 PM
First overall picks to play on a team with LeBron:
— Joe Smith
— Shaquille O’Neal
— Greg Oden
— Kyrie Irving
— Andrew Bogut
— Derrick Rose
— Anthony Davis
— Dwight Howard
and Deandre Ayton. pic.x.com/OLvQ0n1EbO – 6:32 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Reporting for @SportsCenter on the Lakers and Deandre Ayton reaching agreement on a two-year deal: pic.x.com/UfGlPYalwF – 6:24 PM
Reporting for @SportsCenter on the Lakers and Deandre Ayton reaching agreement on a two-year deal: pic.x.com/UfGlPYalwF – 6:24 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
In 26-year-old Luka Doncic and 26-year-old Deandre Ayton, the Lakers now have two of the top three picks from the 2018 NBA Draft on their roster. pic.x.com/V0VImiYZzQ – 6:13 PM
In 26-year-old Luka Doncic and 26-year-old Deandre Ayton, the Lakers now have two of the top three picks from the 2018 NBA Draft on their roster. pic.x.com/V0VImiYZzQ – 6:13 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Most consecutive seasons averaging 10-plus rebounds
10: Rudy Gobert
8: Giannis Antetokounmpo
7: DEANDRE AYTON, Nikola Vucevic
So there’s that. – 6:10 PM
Most consecutive seasons averaging 10-plus rebounds
10: Rudy Gobert
8: Giannis Antetokounmpo
7: DEANDRE AYTON, Nikola Vucevic
So there’s that. – 6:10 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Ayton locks in with the Lakers for two years, with a player option in year two, sources tell @ShamsCharania 🔒 pic.x.com/np1ODindm2 – 6:05 PM
Ayton locks in with the Lakers for two years, with a player option in year two, sources tell @ShamsCharania 🔒 pic.x.com/np1ODindm2 – 6:05 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
The No. 1 picks who have been/are teammates with LeBron James:
– Shaquille O’Neal
– Joe Smith
– Greg Oden
– Kyrie Irving
– Derrick Rose
– Andrew Bogut
– Anthony Davis
– Dwight Howard
– Deandre Ayton
– Allen Iverson (Olympics)
– Tim Duncan (Olympics)
– Anthony Edwards (Olympics) – 6:04 PM
The No. 1 picks who have been/are teammates with LeBron James:
– Shaquille O’Neal
– Joe Smith
– Greg Oden
– Kyrie Irving
– Derrick Rose
– Andrew Bogut
– Anthony Davis
– Dwight Howard
– Deandre Ayton
– Allen Iverson (Olympics)
– Tim Duncan (Olympics)
– Anthony Edwards (Olympics) – 6:04 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Lakers’ big options:
Lopez — signs with Clippers
Capela — signs with Rockets
Turner — signs with Bucks
Kornet — signs with Spurs
Aldama — resigns with Grizzlies
Sharpe — resigns with Nets
Ayton — ??? pic.x.com/QD1fBkcoBQ – 1:33 PM
Lakers’ big options:
Lopez — signs with Clippers
Capela — signs with Rockets
Turner — signs with Bucks
Kornet — signs with Spurs
Aldama — resigns with Grizzlies
Sharpe — resigns with Nets
Ayton — ??? pic.x.com/QD1fBkcoBQ – 1:33 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Interest In Lillard? | Competition For Ayton | Guest: Bobby Marks x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Interest In Lillard? | Competition For Ayton | Guest: Bobby Marks x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Day 2 of 2025 Free Agency is in the books.
We break down every move from Duncan Robinson to Jonas Valančiūnas, the latest on Al Horford and Deandre Ayton, and which FAs still remain.
Subscribe with 35% off your first year with code mockoffseason2025
duncdon.supportingcast.fm – 12:29 AM
Day 2 of 2025 Free Agency is in the books.
We break down every move from Duncan Robinson to Jonas Valančiūnas, the latest on Al Horford and Deandre Ayton, and which FAs still remain.
Subscribe with 35% off your first year with code mockoffseason2025
duncdon.supportingcast.fm – 12:29 AM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about NBA free agency, where Damian Lillard might end up and could he be in LA, when will Chris Paul sign with the Clippers, when will Deandre Ayton sign with the Lakers and who has the best chance to win a title? x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:17 AM
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about NBA free agency, where Damian Lillard might end up and could he be in LA, when will Chris Paul sign with the Clippers, when will Deandre Ayton sign with the Lakers and who has the best chance to win a title? x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:17 AM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Will Ayton Happen? | Laker Trade Rumors on Bigs | Chat About Pelinka x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:30 PM
Will Ayton Happen? | Laker Trade Rumors on Bigs | Chat About Pelinka x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:30 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Best free agents available by position
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jonathan Kuminga
PF: Chris Boucher
C: Deandre Ayton
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 3:57 PM
Best free agents available by position
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jonathan Kuminga
PF: Chris Boucher
C: Deandre Ayton
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 3:57 PM
More on this storyline
Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Doncic, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes. Lastly, as teams reached out to Trail Blazers officials on background, the feedback was consistently positive regarding Ayton, who was a community staple in Portland and hosted many team bonding events during the season. -via HoopsHype / July 4, 2025
For Ayton, who turns 27 at the end of July, the opportunity to re-establish himself couldn’t be more clear. While his contract with the Lakers has a second-year player option, no one involved wants him to exercise it — the hope being that he far outplays that $8 million valuation and commands way more next summer. Team sources believe the Lakers have the right coaching staff to make that happen. In JJ Redick, they have a deadly serious head coach who also understands how to relate to players. Assistant Scott Brooks worked with Ayton in Portland two years ago, and Nate McMillan has either played or coached with or against virtually every personality type the NBA’s ever concocted. And if not, the Lakers have maintained their flexibility for next summer and beyond. -via New York Times / July 4, 2025
He’s obviously not on their radar now, but the Knicks also did some background work on Deandre Ayton. Some decision makers viewed Ayton as a good fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns. Part of their background work included talking to the Trail Blazers about Ayton. -via SportsNet New York / July 3, 2025