Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Of course, that was the same draft Luka Doncic was selected at No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

I'm truly excited." Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10 rebounds and one block this past season, though he was held to playing in just 40 games while battling injuries.

Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic (Image Credits: Imagn) Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic began their NBA journeys in the same 2018 draft class. Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick selected by the Phoenix Suns.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Praises Deandre Ayton After Signing Ayton brings postseason experience as well, having played in 45 playoff games — all starts — during his time in Phoenix.

And basketball wise, James has 264 assists off lobs from the same timespan in his own right. The set up of the deal even adds an extra incentive for Ayton to be at his best. If he's headache free ...

If Ayton is as bad as he was this past season for the Blazers, he could opt into his final year of the deal and clog up the frontcourt rotation at the Lakers move into a new phase of their team.

Ayton and Doncic were both members of the 2018 NBA Draft class. Via @BasketNews_com: "Lakers got TWO out of the top THREE picks of the 2018 NBA draft on their roster now #1 Deandre Ayton #2 Marvin ...

Ayton will have Luka Doncic and LeBron James to help push him along and hopefully tap more out of his potential. Doncic averaged 8.1 assists per game last season and James averaged 7.8 assists.

When DeAndre Ayton was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, most of the NBA world was surprised at that time. However, Phoenix Suns legend Tom ...

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Deandre Ayton. Ayton (7’0”, 252) appeared in 40 games (all starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25, averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1. ...

With the Lakers, Ayton is looking to get back to his “full form of how I used to play,” something he believes he will be able to do while playing off of All-Stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Lakers solved their issue at center by signing Deandre Ayton to be their starting center for the next couple of seasons. He signed a two-year deal with the Lakers. Ayton was bought ...