The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason overhaul continues to make waves, and this time, the credit belongs not to LeBron James, but to Luka Doncic.
According to a report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Deandre Ayton’s decision to sign with the Lakers was significantly shaped by the opportunity to team up with Doncic, a sign that the Slovenian superstar’s gravitational pull is now rivaling, or even surpassing, that of the NBA’s elder statesmen.
Ayton, a 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this month and promptly signed a two-year, $8.1 million contract with Los Angeles.
The deal includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. Factoring in his buyout compensation, Ayton is set to earn $34 million this season – a notable sum for a player who’s expected to play a major role on a contender.
“Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Doncic, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes,” Scotto reported.
Ayton has long thrived next to elite guards. In Phoenix, he reached the 2021 NBA Finals with Chris Paul orchestrating the offense and previously enjoyed strong chemistry with Ricky Rubio.
Doncic, widely viewed as the league’s most creative passer, now presents a new opportunity for Ayton to rekindle that dynamic.
Ayton joins a reshaped Lakers team built around Doncic
The Lakers’ acquisition of Ayton is one of several moves reshaping a team that suffered a disappointing first-round playoff exit last season.
With Anthony Davis traded to the Mavericks in February – a blockbuster that brought Doncic to Los Angeles – the team lacked a true interior anchor.
Ayton, who averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and one block in 40 games for the Blazers last season, fills that void.
Despite injury setbacks in Portland, Ayton remained highly efficient, shooting 56.6 percent from the field in just over 30 minutes per game.
The Lakers are betting that a healthier season and a pick-and-roll-heavy partnership with Doncic will restore him to near All-Star form.
Doncic, meanwhile, wasted no time settling in after the midseason trade. In 28 appearances for Los Angeles, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, firmly establishing himself as the new face of the franchise.
His playmaking, combined with his rising star power, has already begun to influence the Lakers’ free agent appeal.
Ayton reportedly drew interest from several contenders before signing with LA. The Pacers, Knicks, Nuggets, Cavaliers, and Bucks all explored signing him, according to Scotto, though Milwaukee pivoted to acquiring Myles Turner.
Ultimately, the draw of playing alongside Doncic proved decisive. Ayton is not the only piece the Lakers are eyeing.
With a core of Doncic and Ayton now in place, team executives are expected to remain active in free agency, seeking complementary depth and perimeter shooting.
The new-look Lakers will enter the 2025-26 season with heightened expectations and a reshaped identity.
While LeBron James’ influence may be fading as he transitions out of a starring role, Luka Doncic’s arrival is already proving transformative – both on the court and in the free agent market.
For Ayton, the move represents a fresh start and a calculated bet on synergy with a generational playmaker.
For the Lakers, it’s a sign that the torch may finally be passing from one superstar era to the next.
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