The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated early in the 2025 playoffs, losing in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A major problem for them in that series was the absence of a reliable starting center, something they plan to address during the offseason. Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey suggested several realistic options for the team, including former top overall pick Deandre Ayton.
Acquiring Ayton would require significant salary matching, though likely fewer draft picks compared to other potential trade targets. Despite his diminished trade value, it’s premature to completely give up on him.
At 26, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game over his career. He’s never had the chance to play alongside a playmaker of Luka Doncic’s caliber—especially since even a past-his-prime Chris Paul didn’t provide that level of facilitation.
Ayton’s scoring numbers and efficiency could improve as a lob target for Doncic. While he isn’t known for elite rim protection, he’d still be an upgrade over Jaxson Hayes in that area and is better than many seven-footers at defending on the perimeter after switches.
Matching Ayton’s contract, a four-year, $132 million deal he signed with the Suns in 2022, would be financially challenging. His value relative to that salary is questionable, especially after a 2024–25 season with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, while struggling with consistency.
Ayton has shown flashes of being a top-tier big man, but also had stretches of poor play. His inconsistent motor was a key reason Phoenix moved on from him in 2023.
Could the Lakers help Ayton tap into his full potential? Possibly. Playing with Doncic might elevate his game. Doncic has made average centers like Hayes look competent offensively, and Ayton is a much more talented scorer.
One advantage for the Lakers is that Ayton’s current trade value isn’t particularly high due to his salary and uneven performance, meaning they wouldn’t have to sacrifice major draft assets. This could also leave room for the Lakers to make another big move afterward.
That said, such a trade doesn’t seem likely right now. The Lakers haven’t shown serious interest in Ayton, though that could change.
The team also has eight other center targets in mind, all of whom would be significant upgrades over Hayes and help push the Lakers closer to title contention.
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