Dec 19, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) scores a basket during the first half against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

'There’s a Growing Expectation That They’ll Land Him' – Los Angeles Lakers Tipped to Sign Free Agent Journeyman After Getting Deandre Ayton

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 10:21 AM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers recently completed the signing of Deandre Ayton , and they seem far from done in retooling their roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron James this summer.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Los Angeles Lakers are likely to land De’Anthony Melton if they pursue him in free agency.

“Outside of pursuing extra frontcourt depth behind Ayton, the Lakers are also pursuing guard help to complement Luka’s play in the backcourt. De’Anthony Melton has been a key name linked to Los Angeles throughout the offseason, and there is a growing expectation that the Lakers will land him in free agency, sources said,” Siegel detailed.

'Don’t pity me or feel bad:' Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren Addresses Injury Concern From Hospital With Powerful Message 3 Nov 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots a three point basket over Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton (8) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Melton only played six regular season games for the Golden State Warriors in 2024-25 because of a partially torn left ACL. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on 40.7 percent shooting from the field.

Los Angeles Lakers News: Jaxson Hayes returns on a one-year contract

Free agent center Jaxson Hayes is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, and the 25-year-old center is likely to be Deandre Ayton’s backup.

Sep 30, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jaxson Hayes (11) during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The former eighth overall pick got an increased role during the second half of the 2024-25 season following the Luka Doncic trade , which sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. However, Hayes struggled to carve out meaningful playing time against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the playoffs.

Hayes averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds on 72.2 percent shooting from the field in his 56 regular season appearances (35 starts) for Los Angeles this past season.