The Los Angeles Lakers were able to land Deandre Ayton on a two-year, $16.2 million deal. The first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft will join his third team after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Phoenix Suns and the past two years with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Ayton will join Luka Dončić, the third overall pick from his draft class, in Los Angeles. He praised the five-time All-NBA guard in his first comments since joining the iconic franchise. Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell shared his remarks.
"This feels like a video game," Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton stated Tuesday. "Like somebody set it up. But honestly, this is an opportunity that I won’t take for granted. 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 when he’s doing all of that. And I’m just truly excited. I’m a student of the game and I love to play with a passion. And the love I have received and I’ve not even thrown on a jersey, I can only show you guys my appreciation."
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Ayton joins Los Angeles after being bought out by the Trail Blazers amid rumors of being a distraction due to his bad habits. Despite the reports, he had a solid season on the court when he was healthy. In 40 games played, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game while shooting 56.6% from the field.
The expectations with the Lakers will be much higher, which -- combined with the ability to re-enter free agency next summer due to his player option for the second-year of the deal -- could lead Ayton to enter the season much more motivated. Los Angeles will certainly be banking on the best version of the former top overall pick showing up as he figures to be a pivotal piece of their roster.
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