The Los Angeles Lakers’ long search for a starting-caliber true center appears to be over after they signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year contract on Sunday. He was an unexpected addition to the free agent market after he agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on June 29.
Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game through seven NBA seasons. He has been criticized for a lack of intensity and focus on the defensive end, but he is a big-time rim-running lob threat and a very solid rebounder.
The Lakers have certainly needed a lob threat to play alongside Luka Doncic, as well as lots of help on the defensive boards. General manager Rob Pelinka issued a statement about Ayton’s arrival, calling the big man an “amazing solution” to the team’s center woes while praising Ayton’s prior experience.
Via Lakers Nation:
“Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason, and we believe Deandre is an amazing solution to that objective and is an ideal player to add to our current core,” Pelinka said following the announcement of Ayton’s signing becoming official. “Deandre’s size, mobility and athleticism will allow both paint scoring and paint protection. Deandre’s playoff experience as a starter on an NBA Finals team also aligns well with our ultimate Lakers championship aspirations.”
At his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Ayton said that getting to play with Doncic “feels like a video game” and that he’s “super excited” about the opportunity. This could be his last real chance to establish a strong reputation across the league, not to mention earn a big contract, and if he truly taps into his potential, he could single-handedly raise the Lakers’ ceiling by a considerable amount.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Pelinka: Deandre Ayton is ‘amazing solution’ to Lakers’ center woes
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
