US EditionLos Angeles Lakers Center Deandre Ayton Eager to Silence Critics: ‘It Fuels Me up Completely’
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, JUL 10 – Paul Pierce says Deandre Ayton fills a key Lakers need but doubts the team can win a championship, projecting a second-round playoff ceiling despite Ayton's career double-double averages.
- The Los Angeles Lakers have signed 26-year-old center Deandre Ayton after he and the Portland Trail Blazers mutually agreed to terminate the remaining year of his contract.
- The Lakers pursued Ayton to fill a critical need at center after missing out on a championship run despite winning 50 games last season and adding Luka Doncic late in the year.
- Ayton, who played five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and two with the Blazers, averaged around 15.7 points in Portland and seeks to contribute alongside LeBron James and Doncic.
- After giving up $10 million to gain free agency, Ayton agreed to a contract with the Lakers worth $16.2 million over two years, including a player option for the second season, a move NBA analyst Jason McIntyre described as a significant acquisition for the team.
- Though Paul Pierce acknowledged Ayton’s quality and fit for the Lakers, he expressed doubts if Ayton alone can help secure a championship, highlighting lingering concerns about his inconsistent play.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Deandre Ayton forfeits $10M to escape Portland revealing deep dissatisfaction despite top-eight center status
Ayton’s Portland Departure: A $10 Million Escape from Discontent The Portland Trail Blazers have found themselves in a challenging position with Deandre Ayton, ultimately resulting in a buyout after unsuccessful attempts to trade the center. The end of the season illuminated a stark reality: the Blazers performed significantly better during Ayton’s absence due to a calf injury. This shift raised questions about his fit within the team and foresh…
Analyst Makes Wild Claim About DeAndre Ayton
(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) DeAndre Ayton’s career has been something of a whirlwind since he was drafted. He was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, going to the Phoenix Suns, and he was said to be a player who could instantly take over the league, someone who could be a franchise-saver. While he showed some promise in his rookie season, being a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award, Ayton was suspended for the first 25 games of his sop…
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