NBA Rumors: DeAndre Ayton linked to the Lakers after parting ways with the Blazers

Deandre Ayton will not continue playing next season with Portland Trail Blazers and will emerge as one of the top available centers in free agency. The player had one year left on his contract worth 35.6 million, and, according to ESPN, he has negotiated his departure. NBA rumors suggesting a potential move to Los Angeles Lakers (desperately in need of a reliable big man) have quickly surfaced. 

Following the agreement, Ayton is now free to sign with any team, even those exceeding the known salary caps referred to as "cap aprons." According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the restriction preventing players with contracts like Ayton's from joining second apron teams only applies during the regular season.

Ayton's departure makes sense after what happened in the draft and lightens the competition at the center position in Portland, where they recently drafted Yang Hansen with the 16th pick and Donovan Clingan with the 7th pick in last year's draft. Additionally, the Blazers still have Robert Williams III and Duop Reath under contract.

Portland acquired Ayton in September 2023 from the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. In the last season, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, shooting 56.6% from the field.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: DeAndre Ayton, conectado con los Lakers tras su adiós a los Blazers