Rob Pelinka Opens Up On Deandre Ayton: 'Aligns Well With Our Ultimate Lakers Championship Aspirations'

The Los Angeles Lakers have now officially signed center Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal. The Lakers were in desperate need of a big man this offseason, and President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka has now opened up on why Ayton is a great fit on the team.

“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. “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," Pelinka added. 

Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25. The Trail Blazers had bought out the final year of the 26-year-old's contract to let him hit free agency in 2025.

Ayton is a talented big man who was a starter for that 2020-21 Phoenix Suns team that got to the NBA Finals, but his stock has fallen a lot in recent times. That's down to concerns regarding his motor, and it was also reported that he threw tantrums in the Trail Blazers' locker room.

While that's far from ideal, the Lakers believe head coach JJ Redick can get the best out of Ayton. Scott Brooks, who is part of Redick's staff, was an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers during the big man's first season in Portland (2023-24), so there is some familiarity there as well.

The Lakers are also of the mindset that Ayton's talents outweigh the concerns regarding him.

“Culture can’t play above the rim. It can’t stand between the basket and Rudy Gobert. It can’t catch lobs from Luka Doncic. Deandre Ayton can do all of that stuff. And that’s why the Lakers are excited to have him on their team."

Ayton may not play like one of the better big men in the NBA next season, but he'll be an upgrade over Jaxson Hayes at the least. He addresses some of the major concerns regarding the Lakers entering this offseason, but defense does remain a question mark when it comes to this team.  

Why Deandre Ayton Chose The Lakers

With Ayton becoming a free agent, there was bound to be a fair bit of interest in his services, regardless of some of those concerns. He chose the Lakers as his landing spot largely because of Luka Doncic.

"Deandre Ayton received exploratory interest from the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Los Angeles Lakers," wrote Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto. "Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Doncic, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes. Following success playing with guards such as Chris Paul and Ricky Rubio in Phoenix, Ayton hopes to recreate that playmaking chemistry with Doncic."

Chris Paul got the best out of Ayton during their time together in Phoenix, and the expectation is that he will thrive alongside Doncic. The former No. 1 overall pick has some additional motivation to shine on the court in 2025-26, too, as he has a player option for the second year of this deal.

Ayton can hit free agency again in 2026, and excellent play on the court could see him get rewarded with a significant payday.