Shams Wow: Ayton signs 2 year deal with Lakers

[FarBeyondDriven]

I love how there's a dozen or so billionaire bootlicking anti-conspiracy theorists that pop up to shame us for suggesting the NBA is rigged only for things like this to happen. If you're wondering if they'll learn their lesson the answer is a resounding no.

[lilfishi22]

Ayton also weren't treated by referees when he did get fouled. Again, looking at old game threads would see both Suns and Blazer fans complain that Ayton got fouled but no free throws. So yes, he isn't aggressive in making contact, but he also got fouled and not rewarded for... same fouls someone like Davis or Embiid would get rewarded for.


But now wearing purple and gold, I definitely expect Ayton to double his FTA from 2 to around 4.... at least.

Wood's FTr dropped when he put on the Laker jersey

Wood is no way near the offensive threat as Ayton.

Comparing Wood to Ayton when both are motivated is ridiculous. Even lazy Ayton is better than Wood trying hard.

Your whole point is that putting on the Laker jersey will get you the Laker whistle when that isn't true. Even if Wood isn't the same type of player DA is, the fact that he got negative benefit putting on the jersey proves my point.

It's year 8 of Ayton's career where he's never averaged more than 3.5FT per36. Putting on the Laker jersey isn't suddenly going to get him to 4+ FTA. It's pass time to accept that he isn't some bruising big man who's banging in the down low and trying to draw all sorts of contact. You and I both know he gets his from middys, fadeaway jumpers and jump hooks. He ain't that guy. And let's not talk about motivation, that's a red flag at this point if we're talking about what he might do when he's motivated

[Bergmaniac]

Not even kidding, this might go down as one of the best signings the Lakers have made in the last 10–15 years.

Ayton catches way too much hate, but people forget he’s a legit 7 footer who’s averaged a double-double basically every season since he came into the league. He’s not just tall he’s skilled. Soft touch around the rim, can hit that short midrange, strong rebounder, and when he’s locked in defensively, he can anchor a team.

People clown him for the Suns stuff, but he helped take that team to the Finals. That playoff run wasn’t a fluke, he was efficient as hell and made impact plays on both ends. Now he’s only 26 and landing on a Lakers team with actual structure, vets, and a chance to win again? This is the best possible spot for him.

He basically signed for the mid-level exception. That’s wild. You’re getting a potential all star caliber big for backup money. In today’s market, that’s insane.

Honestly, if he plays up to his potential, we’re talking best big on the Lakers since Shaq. No disrespect to Pau, Bynum, Dwight (the first time), or AD but Ayton’s ceiling as a true center, on both ends, is up there. If he stays healthy and puts together a few big years in LA, he’s absolutely in the Hall of Fame conversation down the road.

Perfect fit, great timing, and low risk/high reward. If it hits, we’ll be looking back at this as one of the smartest signings in modern Lakers history.

There is no f'n way I'm reading this in 2025. You might've got me pre-draft in 2018, maybe even after his rookie season but not in 2025

UglyBugBall is such an obvious troll. Ayton better than AD, Pau and Dwight, LMAO.

[garrick]

Why didn’t they trade him? Seems like his value isn’t that low

Portland FO is a joke because they wanted only expiring deals back which is basically impossible in a deal like this.

For reasons unknown Portland really wants to slash salary and stay under the 1st apron similar to teams like Indy that will go to absurd levels to save some cash.

[Lalouie]

it's a black day for the brand. i will go on record and say ayton has dumbed down the whole franchise legacy

pelinka had no choice

but then,,,doesn't he always seem to have no choice???

just sayin'. maybe luka will be able to squeeze some juice outta that fkkkrrr

how much is lal investing in a baby sitter

[Michael Lucky]

Read on Twitter

Yes Ayton by all available metrics is at best average on d. Lebron is 40. Luka and Austin both tend to be below average although there are many stars in the league who are just as bad there or not worse. Problem is collectively that lineup is automatically below average on that end. The bench doesn't really matter much especially when it comes to the playoff. The entire team is going to come down to how efficient can Ayton, Luka, and Reaves be on offense to offset most teams. I have a feeling that for most of the year outside of bitching about our D I will be bitching about how many shots 41 year old lebron will be taking.

[enigmatics]

Lakers fans just wait ......

You'll soon discover that if he isn't treated at least like a #2 offensively he mentally checks out of games and doesn't effort at all on D.

With Luka, Bron, Reeves, Rui, Bronny (jk) he's not gonnaa get anywhere near his touches. Dude doesn't have that dog mindset to create his own via offensive boards, getting to the FT line and hustle.

You will get a few 20/15 games out of him. It will lure you in and it will turn into a cycle.

[Michael Lucky]

it's a black day for the brand. i will go on record and say ayton has dumbed down the whole franchise legacy

pelinka had no choice

but then,,,doesn't he always seem to have no choice???

just sayin'. maybe luka will be able to squeeze some juice outta that fkkkrrr

how much is lal investing in a baby sitter

Lakers survived the mozgov and deng deals which would be valued in today's salary cap as 4 years/300million total. They will survive ayton for 16 million over 2.

[SportsGuru08]

How long before a certain fan base starts calling him a bum and needs to be traded to give a certain player "more help?"

I give it six weeks.

[Michael Lucky]

How long before a certain fan base starts calling him a bum and needs to be traded to give a certain player "more help?"

I give it six weeks.

Luka does need more help.

[Lalouie]

it's a black day for the brand. i will go on record and say ayton has dumbed down the whole franchise legacy

pelinka had no choice

but then,,,doesn't he always seem to have no choice???

just sayin'. maybe luka will be able to squeeze some juice outta that fkkkrrr

how much is lal investing in a baby sitter

Lakers survived the mozgov and deng deals which would be valued in today's salary cap as 4 years/300million total. They will survive ayton for 16 million over 2.

im just concerned people might start exalting ayton. ive been a hater since zona

[Mamba Mentality]

Luka+Ayton connection is going to feed families. Even with all his flaws Ayton is a massive upgrade over the crap we ran out there last season.

What exactly is the plan? Run with Lebron until he decides to hang it up? At which point they then try to build around Luka? It seems like a roster that's kind of stuck in between.

I think this is LeBrons last season in a Laker uniform regardless of whether he wants to continue playing. New ownership doesn’t have any loyalty a 41 year old who had a strangle on the roster.

[lilfishi22]

it's a black day for the brand. i will go on record and say ayton has dumbed down the whole franchise legacy

pelinka had no choice

but then,,,doesn't he always seem to have no choice???

just sayin'. maybe luka will be able to squeeze some juice outta that fkkkrrr

how much is lal investing in a baby sitter

Lakers survived the mozgov and deng deals which would be valued in today's salary cap as 4 years/300million total. They will survive ayton for 16 million over 2.

im just concerned people might start exalting ayton. ive been a hater since zona

Damn you were hatin' on Ayton before it was cool

[DusterBuster]

Why didn’t they trade him? Seems like his value isn’t that low

Portland FO is a joke because they wanted only expiring deals back which is basically impossible in a deal like this.

For reasons unknown Portland really wants to slash salary and stay under the 1st apron similar to teams like Indy that will go to absurd levels to save some cash.

The team is for sale… that’s why they’re trying to keep from taking on too much salary or be over the 1st apron… not really unknown, actually quite public.

[Crazy-Canuck]

I think we'll see a wiggins for Rui/Vincent deal next.

Then cp3 signs for the vet min.

Luka/cp3
Reeves/shake
Wiggins/knecht
Bron/vandy
Ayton/horford

[MelTurpin]

Not even kidding, this might go down as one of the best signings the Lakers have made in the last 10–15 years.

Ayton catches way too much hate, but people forget he’s a legit 7 footer who’s averaged a double-double basically every season since he came into the league. He’s not just tall he’s skilled. Soft touch around the rim, can hit that short midrange, strong rebounder, and when he’s locked in defensively, he can anchor a team.

People clown him for the Suns stuff, but he helped take that team to the Finals. That playoff run wasn’t a fluke, he was efficient as hell and made impact plays on both ends. Now he’s only 26 and landing on a Lakers team with actual structure, vets, and a chance to win again? This is the best possible spot for him.

He basically signed for the mid-level exception. That’s wild. You’re getting a potential all star caliber big for backup money. In today’s market, that’s insane.

Honestly, if he plays up to his potential, we’re talking best big on the Lakers since Shaq. No disrespect to Pau, Bynum, Dwight (the first time), or AD but Ayton’s ceiling as a true center, on both ends, is up there. If he stays healthy and puts together a few big years in LA, he’s absolutely in the Hall of Fame conversation down the road.

Perfect fit, great timing, and low risk/high reward. If it hits, we’ll be looking back at this as one of the smartest signings in modern Lakers history.

You must not have seen Pau play. That's the only explanation for the ridiculous assertion that Ayton might be better.

[Lalouie]

Lakers survived the mozgov and deng deals which would be valued in today's salary cap as 4 years/300million total. They will survive ayton for 16 million over 2.

im just concerned people might start exalting ayton. ive been a hater since zona

Damn you were hatin' on Ayton before it was cool

since zona got bounced in the first round.

"this guy's a fool. he's dumb as a cluck and he doesn't move the needle" - sez i

i just didn't realize how bad. he's a broad spectrum loser

[picc]

Lakers fans just wait ......

You'll soom discover that if he isn't treated at least like a #2 offensively he mentally checks out of games and doesn't effort at all on D.

With Luka, Bron, Reeves, Rui, Bronny (jk) he's not gonnaa get anywhere near his touches. Dude doesn't have that dog mindset to create his own via offensive boards, getting to the FT line and hustle.

You will get a few 20/15 games out of him. It will lure you in and it will turn into a cycle.

Mother **** do you realize they're coming off half a season of Christian Koloko and a guy who got benched in the first round?

Should they just stop watching the NBA until another HOF big drops in their lap? Or can you just let them be happy they're upgrading from a zero to a 6?

[Lalouie]

Lakers fans just wait ......

You'll soom discover that if he isn't treated at least like a #2 offensively he mentally checks out of games and doesn't effort at all on D.

With Luka, Bron, Reeves, Rui, Bronny (jk) he's not gonnaa get anywhere near his touches. Dude doesn't have that dog mindset to create his own via offensive boards, getting to the FT line and hustle.

You will get a few 20/15 games out of him. It will lure you in and it will turn into a cycle.

Mother **** do you realize they're coming off half a season of Christian Koloko and a guy who got benched in the first round?

Should they just stop watching the NBA until another HOF big drops in their lap? Or can you just let them be happy they're upgrading from a zero to a 6?

zero to 1 if the whole point is making comparisons to koloko

[KyRo23]

How long before a certain fan base starts calling him a bum and needs to be traded to give a certain player "more help?"

I give it six weeks.

So every fan base can call him bad in this thread, but you’re singling out Lakers fans for MAYBE calling him bad this season? Interesting