Latest news with #DeAndreAyton
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade hypothetical sees Lakers reuniting with 17 ppg guard in one-for-one swap
The Los Angeles Lakers' big move this offseason has been bringing in former No. 1 overall pick, DeAndre Ayton to fill out their starting five. This move has done exactly that, giving them a strong starting five, but when you look at the bench, you might see a few issues. Advertisement One of their other signings has been Jake LaRavia, a 6'7 wing who fits in nicely for their bench unit. The missing piece is a guard off the bench, who can come in and be a sparkplug when the superstars are having their off night. YouTuber SROS proposed a hypothetical trade that solves this issue and is also beneficial for the other team involved. It is a simple swap of Rui Hachimura for Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk. The one thing the Lakers don't necessarily need anymore is a guy like Hachimura, and the Kings could benefit from a new face. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Monk played for the Lakers during the 2021-2022 season and has since seen an increased role with the Kings, averaging 17.2 points per game in his first year as a usual starter. Advertisement With the exit of his beloved teammate De'Aaron Fox, he could enjoy being shipped out of Sacramento. This could also free up playing time for their younger guards like Keon Ellis and Devin Carter, beginning their development earlier than expected. As stated previously, the Lakers' backup guard unit consists of Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin, something that can definitely be improved on. Hachimura's trade value could be at an all-time high, and although trading with an in-conference team is always difficult, this swap could be beneficial for both teams. More NBA:NBA pundit predicts 9x All Star signs with Lakers to aid Dončić, James in title chase
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeAndre Ayton excited to play with 'super-ripped' Luka Dončić on Lakers: 'This feels like a video game'
DeAndre Ayton has his fresh start and the Los Angeles Lakers have their new featured big man. The former No. 1 overall pick was introduced in Los Angeles on Tuesday after signing a two-year, $16.6 million deal in free agency following his buy-out with the Portland Trail Blazers. Judging from what he had to say, he's a bit more excited about what he can do with the Lakers. Advertisement Specifically, he can't wait to play with Luka Dončić. From ESPN: "This feels like a video game, like somebody set it up," Ayton, decked out in an all-black suit, said at his introductory news conference. "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." There have been rumbles nearly all offseason about Dončić slimming down. The Mavericks' concerns about his conditioning was one of the main narratives out of Dallas following the trade that rocked the NBA, and he has now reportedly dropped "significant weight." Ayton has faced somewhat similar criticisms during his two seasons in Portland, though more about his on-court effort than fitness. The Lakers now offer him a chance to show he can be a dynamic player on a team with a path toward contention, and Ayton didn't deny it will be a different environment, via ESPN: "I feel like the Lakers were the best position [for me]," Ayton said. "They want to win a championship right now, and I want to win right now as well and just be part of a winning legacy and be around winners. ... The last two years was just a different route for me and I just learned a lot that when you don't win in this league, you can be forgotten." DeAndre Ayton is a Laker. He seems pretty happy about it. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) (MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images via Getty Images) In both Dončić and LeBron James, Ayton will be playing with two of the best ball distributors of his career. He's looking forward to the experience: "They both average about nine assists over their career span," Ayton said. "They turn [their teammates] into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor." Of course, it's not entirely guaranteed James will be there. The future Hall-of-Famer's future in Los Angeles is cloudy and there's a non-zero chance the Lakers send him elsewhere to focus on building around Dončić.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lakers are in running to land career 20-pt game scorer, 3x All-Star, on buyout market
The Los Angeles Lakers may be able to land another star on the NBA buyout market. Getting DeAndre Ayton on the cheap was a huge win for the Lakers' roster. Because everyone wants to play in Los Angeles, another star is showing interest in joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic in LA. Fred Katz of The Athletic named the teams that potential buyout candidate, Bradley Beal, has thought about joining. The Lakers are on the list. Could a Lakers-Bradley Beal signing go down this offseason? Advertisement If available, Bradley Beal should instantly become the Lakers' top free-agency target. Beal averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals for the Phoenix Suns last season. While the last few years of his career haven't gone as planned, he is still an incredibly productive NBA player. If the Lakers can sign Beal on a similar type of deal as Ayton, they add another star-level player to their already-loaded roster. Beal could lead the second unit for the Lakers, being their top scorer and playmaker. The offensive additions of him and Ayton alongside LeBron and Luka would be deadly. Advertisement With those four and Reaves, the Lakers should be the top offense in the NBA. The other side of the ball could be an issue. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp That shouldn't stop the Lakers from pursuing Beal. Lakers fans should be hoping for a Bradley Beal buyout so they can get their hands on a former star who still can produce at a high level. More NBA: Warriors could sign former rival, NBA Champion, 5-time All-Star on buyout market
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Brutal Deandre Ayton Blazers revelations should give Lakers pause
The post NBA rumors: Brutal Deandre Ayton Blazers revelations should give Lakers pause appeared first on ClutchPoints. Since his release from the Portland Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton has received serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. While the move makes sense on paper, the apparent reason why Ayton is available in the first place should concern any team looking to sign him. Advertisement Following Ayton's release, details emerged suggesting the Blazers cut ties due to his lack of discipline and personality flaws rather than his on-court performances, according to The Athletic's Jason Quick. While he has been disappointing since landing in Portland, it was Ayton's reported 'tardiness' and 'tantrums' that did him in. 'See, the Blazers could live with Ayton missing shots or his man scoring on him,' Quick wrote. 'They could even live with him being limited by injuries to 55 and 40 games in his two seasons in Portland. But in the end, they couldn't live with his bad ways. The tardiness to team flights and practices, according to a team source. The skipping of rehabilitation appointments. Fans saw him slam chairs when he was taken out of games. And a team source said there were tantrums in the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort.' The Blazers' release of Ayton was significant, considering he was the main piece they received from the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade in 2023. However, Portland seemingly prepared for the move a year ago when it selected Donovan Clingan in the 2024 NBA Draft. Since joining the team, Ayton has averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game over the last two years. While solid, his numbers have declined from his final two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, during which he averaged 17.2 and 18.0 points per game, respectively. Advertisement Lakers' interest in DeAndre Ayton following Blazers release Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Despite the flaws in his performances, the Los Angeles Lakers have still aggressively pursued Ayton in free agency. The Lakers have been on his tail since his release was announced, with a deal seemingly on the horizon. The Lakers have desperately needed a center for several years, but seem to have urgency to resolve the situation in the 2025 offseason. Los Angeles has also targeted Brook Lopez, Clint Capela and Al Horford, among others. Not only did the Lakers have a size issue in the 2024-2025 season, but they are also prepared to let Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len walk in free agency. Hayes and Len were the team's top two centers late in the year after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and failing to acquire Mark Williams. Related: Nuggets continue dazzling offseason in Jonas Valanciunas trade with Kings Related: NBA rumors: Pistons, Kings linked to Malik Monk-Dennis Schroder trade
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers rumors: DeAndre Ayton a ‘strong possibility' to join Lakers per NBA Insider
The post Lakers rumors: DeAndre Ayton a 'strong possibility' to join Lakers per NBA Insider appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers remain the top suitors for DeAndre Ayton following the center's buyout with the Portland Blazers. For many, Ayton is best suited to address the Lakers' needs at center as a rim protector who can clean up around the glass. One NBA insider believes there's a strong chance, Chris Haynes. Advertisement Ayton signing with the Lakers is likely going to happen, according to Haynes. 'That is a strong possibility. Strong possibility,' Haynes said of Ayton joining the Lakers. 'The Lakers already had a plethora of options to look for at the center position in free agency. You had Clint Capela out there. You had Brook Lopez out there. 'Now, you add DeAndre Ayton, all of a sudden, to the equation. If they're able to land this, which again, sources have told me this is a strong possibility, you will pair him up with Luka Doncic, who was in his draft class. 'DeAndre Ayton, the 2018 NBA Draft's No. 1 pick. Luka Doncic, No. 3. So you have the pairing on that, and I think it makes sense just for the route the Lakers are trying to go. This is Luka's team. They want to build for him. They want to have guys around the same age that can go where he goes. I think you're look at the future of what the Lakers are trying to do,' Haynes concluded. Advertisement After the Lakers' first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, addressing the center position will be a top priority for Los Angeles this summer. 'Free agency hasn't started, and he has to clear waivers. He clears waivers Wednesday,' Haynes added. 'All signs are pointing in that direction.' The Lakers' trade for Doncic sacrificed their All-Star center, Anthony Davis, and his two-way production in the frontcourt. After a deal for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams was reversed at the trade deadline due to a failed physical, Los Angeles is undoubtedly in the market for an impactful center. And Ayton makes a lot of sense. Advertisement Kendrick Perkins warns teams about DeAndre Ayton Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes DeAndre Ayton is on his last chance after a spoiled opportunity with the Blazers. However, Perkins believes if Ayton buys into the Lakers' culture, it could be a success. 'When DeAndre Ayton is locked in, he's focused, he's losing himself in the team, he's a hell of a player. Double-double. The problem is that it hasn't been the case,' Perkins said. We'll see where Ayton's next stop will be as he enters free agency. Related: Former Mavericks guard adds intrigue to LeBron James trade rumors Related: Lakers land forward on $12 million deal after losing Dorian Finney-Smith
