After a disappointing end to the 2024-25 postseason, the Lakers wasted little time retooling its corps.
Earlier in the week, Los Angeles secured the services of former Grizzlies and Sacramento backup Jake LaRavia, bolstering the side’s three-point shooting while adding another youthful gem to the Lakers’ collection.
On Wednesday, they brought another into the fold: former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton inked a two-year deal with Los Angeles, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
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Ayton, 26, has spent much of his career on the fringes of stardom. Could a change of scenery coax his potential out of him? And how will Ayton mesh with the rest of his LA teammates? The Sporting News looks into how the Lakers’ roster will look once Ayton washes ashore in Tinseltown.
Lakers roster with Deandre Ayton
Here’s a look at how Los Angeles’ roster shapes out following Ayton’s arrival. The following players are under contract for the 2025-26 season.
| Player | Position | Height | Age | 2024-25 PPG |
| Deandre Ayton | C | 7-0 | 26 | 14.4 |
| Luka Doncic | G/F | 6-6 | 26 | 28.2 |
| Jordan Goodwin | G | 6-5 | 26 | 5.6 |
| Rui Hachimura | F | 6-8 | 27 | 13.1 |
| Bronny James | G | 6-3 | 21 | 2.3 |
| LeBron James | F | 6-9 | 40 | 24.4 |
| Trey Jemison | C | 6-10 | 25 | 2.5 |
| Maxi Kleber | F | 6-10 | 33 | 3.0 |
| Dalton Knecht | G/F | 6-6 | 24 | 9.1 |
| Jake LaRavia | F | 6-8 | 23 | 6.9 |
| Shake Milton | G | 6-5 | 28 | 7.4 |
| Austin Reaves | G | 6-5 | 27 | 20.2 |
| Adou Thiero | F | 6-8 | 21 | 15.1* |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | F | 6-8 | 26 | 4.1 |
| Gabe Vincent | G | 6-2 | 28 | 6.4 |
*college stats
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Lakers projected starting five
Ayton is expected to slot into the starting five once he takes the floor. Here’s who could join him:
- G Luka Doncic
- G Austin Reaves
- F LeBron James
- F Rui Hachimura
- C Deandre Ayton
Ayton’s arrival should give something Los Angeles has been searching for since Anthony Davis was dealt to Dallas — a rim-running big capable of throwing down lobs from Doncic and James.
At just 26, the idea of Ayton slaloming to the rim is an enticing one. He’s mobile, well-versed in staying in front of guards and bigs alike, and, at his best, possesses soft touch around the cup.
Still, Ayton’s production hasn’t quite lived up to his reputation in recent seasons. He dealt with an assortment of maladies and reported attitude issues last season, only playing in 40 games. Nevertheless, his averages were down across the board from his 2023-24 performance.
Ayton offered a glimpse of his potential during Phoenix’s run to the NBA Finals in 2021. His performances during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons indicated that those showings were no fluke, either. Ayton hasn’t been on a competitive team since those days, though. But if the Lakers want to climb up the Western Conference standings, they’ll need Ayton at his best. With Doncic, Reaves, and James leading the way, that seems a little more feasible.
Deandre Ayton contract details
- Years:Â Two
- Contract value:Â $16.6 million
Ayton agreed to a two-year contract with Los Angeles. The deal will see Ayton net $16.6 million, good for an average annual value (AAV) of $8.8 million.
That’s far smaller than the $33.23 million AAV Ayton received over the course of his Portland deal. He’ll recoup some of those funds as a result of his buyout, making that $8.8 million AAV a little easier to stomach. Ayton can opt out of his deal upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, offering him a platform to increase his asking price next offseason, if he so desires.
