NBA Free-Agent Big Board: Deandre Ayton, welcome to the Lakers
Deandre Ayton agreed to a two-year, $16.6 million deal to join LeBron, Luka and the gang, with L.A. hoping for more than just a trip to the first round of the playoffs.
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But a lot will be expected of Ayton, and in that past that has been an issue
As Yahoo Sports senior writer Dan Devine put it:
"Nobody's ever questioned Ayton's physical tools: the bulk that can make him a bruising screen-setter and bull-in-a-china shop rebounder; the feathery touch on floaters, hooks and face-up jumpers from the midrange; the 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-3 standing reach that can make him a plus rim protector and interior impediment; the balance and agility that make him a fluid athlete in space on both ends. What still remains unclear, though, is whether he's capable of putting them all together with the level of commitment and seriousness of approach that can allow him, and a team that's not built around him, to make the best of use of all those tools and all that talent.
Seven years after going first overall, a third team's going to give Ayton the chance to put it all together. Maybe the third time will be the charm."
Best of luck, Lakers!
Here you'll find our top 25 overall free-agent rankings and where players signed.
This list bakes in contractual expectations — meaning value for the money — potential for younger players, risk of decline for older players, a premium on long-range shooters (hey, teams want them!) and injury history.
To use an example, you'll find both Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon in the 20s, primarily due to their general lack of availability in recent years. Had they played more, they would have been higher on the list.
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Without further ado, let's get to it.
Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small Forwards | Power forwards | Centers
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