NBA Notes: Wizards, Tristan Vukcevic, Raptors, Lakers, Deandre Ayton

Wizards

Big man Tristan Vukcevic is returning to the Wizards on a two-way contract, according to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 22-year-old had been a restricted free agent after receiving a qualifying offer from Washington, and this new deal likely represents his acceptance of that offer.

Vukcevic, the 42nd pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, spent most of his rookie year playing overseas with KK Partizan in Serbia. He joined the Wizards in March and made an immediate impact, starting four of 10 games and averaging 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per contest.

A knee injury delayed the start of his 2024-25 season, but the 6-foot-10 forward/center returned to log 35 appearances, averaging 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 49.6% from the field and 37.3% from deep. Known for his ability to stretch the floor, Vukcevic will continue to develop with Washington as part of its youth movement.

Raptors

The Raptors have signed second-round pick Alijah Martin to a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release. Martin, selected No. 39 overall in the 2025 draft, joins Ulrich Chomche and Chucky Hepburn to round out Toronto’s trio of two-way players.

Martin helped lead the University of Florida to a national championship last season after transferring from Florida Atlantic, where he spent his first four college seasons. He averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 38 games for the Gators and shot 35.0% from beyond the arc.

Unlike the majority of second-rounders taken ahead of him, Martin didn’t sign a standard contract, instead agreeing to a two-way deal that will allow him to be active for up to 50 of the Raptors’ 82 games. He’ll earn $636,435 in 2025–26, half the rookie minimum.

Lakers

New Lakers center Deandre Ayton says he’s eager to reset his narrative after signing with L.A. in free agency, per Mark Medina of RG.org. Introduced Tuesday, the former No. 1 pick said joining the Lakers “feels like a video game” and described the opportunity to play with Luka Doncic and LeBron James as “perfect timing.”

“They turn their teammates into superstars,” Ayton said, citing the high-assist numbers of both Doncic and James, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “They make them bigger than their roles.”

Ayton, 26, acknowledged that his effort and maturity have been frequent talking points around the league, and he’s ready to respond.

“It fuels me,” he said. “It fuels me up completely. It’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. This is a platform I cannot run from. I can show what I really am.”

The former Suns and Trail Blazers center averaged 16.7 points and 10.2 rebounds last season. He figures to play a key role on a Lakers team looking to return to Western Conference contention.