After teams around the league demanded high trade prices from the Los Angeles Lakers for available centers, Rob Pelinka turned to Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers from the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers held approximately $8 million from their midlevel exception while watching center options like Brook Lopez and Clint Capela sign elsewhere on the opening night of free agency. Teams with available centers kept their asking prices high when the Lakers called, sources said.
The elevated asking prices stemmed from teams knowing what the Lakers were willing to pay for Mark Williams in February's rescinded trade. That package included 2024 first-rounder Dalton Knecht, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and an unprotected 2030 pick swap.
The proposed Williams trade demonstrated the Lakers' desperation to find a center to pair with Luka Doncic. Five months later, the Lakers still lacked a solution at the position.
Ayton represents a flawed but talented option for the Lakers. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick was waived by Portland despite being on a maximum contract. Sources suggest Ayton could be a positive addition for the Lakers. He is arguably the second-best center to hit the open market this summer behind Myles Turner.
The Lakers also agreed to re-sign Jaxson Hayes as Ayton's backup on Thursday evening. Hayes served as the team's primary traditional center option last season before the Lakers' search for an upgrade.
