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Deandre Ayton Breaks Silence on Signing With Lakers, Playing With Luka Doncic and LeBron James

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 9:44 PM ET

Deandre Ayton spoke to NBA reporters on Tuesday for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The center, who will wear No. 5 with the Lakers, joins Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Los Angeles.

Ayton was the first pick in the 2018 draft, while Doncic was the third pick. The two stars share the same agent, Bill Duffy.

Ayton on playing with Luka and LeBron: "They both average about 9 assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates. They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor.…
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 8, 2025

Deandre Ayton on playing with fellow 2018 draftee Luka Doncic on the Lakers: "Luka is a once-in-a-generation player and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped and I’m finally glad to be on his side"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 8, 2025

Deandre Ayton on joining the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/X49AOBaFqQ
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) July 8, 2025

Doncic and Ayton “were motivated” to team up on the Lakers, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Ayton signed a two-year contract with the Lakers after getting bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers were the third seed in the Western Conference last season, but they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.

Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick played without a center in the second half of Game 4 and all of Game 5 because Jaxson Hayes was struggling against Minnesota big men Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid.

Ayton, who turns 27 on July 23, averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks for the Trail Blazers last season while shooting 56.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line.

An Arizona product, Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 398 games with the Phoenix Suns and Trail Blazers.

Redick is expected to start Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton next season. Doncic, James and Ayton have all been to the Finals, with James being a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.

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This article first appeared on Dallas Hoops Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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