How Much Are Lakers Paying Deandre Ayton Following Massive Signing?

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally made a big splash in free agency.

The Lakers have added former No.1 overall pick and big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton will head to Los Angeles after a stint with the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ayton will don the purple and gold, signing a two-year deal worth $8.1 million for the 2025-26 campaign. NBA insider Jake Fischer shared the news via X.

Deandre Ayton's contract with the Lakers is for two years, per source, starting at $8.1 million for this 2025-26 campaign. He's still due $25.6 million from Portland this season, following his buyout from the Trail Blazers.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 2, 2025

He has a player option in the second season. Ayton also receives $25 million from the Blazers as part of their buyout.

The contract is a two-year, $16.6 million agreement between Ayton and Los Angeles, which will hit the Lakers' books for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.

The 26-year-old is coming off a mediocre season with the lowly Trail Blazers. Not only were his numbers a little less than impressive but he was also limited. In only 40 games, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks, shooting 56.6 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line across 30.2 minutes per contest.

Although Ayton is a star-level type of talent, there is a question about his effort, especially on the defensive end. The Lakers have all they need on offense, or at least the top-level talent they need to survive and thrive, but it's different on the defensive end.

He remains questionable on that side of the ball, as he only averaged 1.0 blocks per game in his seven-year career. Although Ayton is a solid one-on-one post defender, he is not the strongest defensive anchor available, with a high defensive rating but a lack of strong rim protection.

At best, his defensive abilities are a mixed bag, but maybe being around the likes of Luka Doncic and potentially LeBron James could do wonders for his attitude and his play on the court.

More Lakers news: Lakers Signing Deandre Ayton in Blockbuster Free Agent Move

Lakers Interested in Damian Lillard in Potential Blockbuster Free Agent Signing

Lakers Have Reached Out to 2 West Teams in Trade for Big Man: Report

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.