Luka Doncic, Ayton Reportedly Were 'Motivated to Team Up' on Lakers After Blazers Exit
Deandre Ayton and superstar Luka Dončić reportedly were very interesting in teaming up this summer on the Los Angeles Lakers after the veteran center agreed to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the pair "have been pals since they were selected No. 1 overall and No. 3, respectively, in the 2018 NBA Draft," share the same agent and were "were motivated to team up given the Lakers' well-chronicled need for a front-line center."
Additionally, Stein reported that Ayton "is said to have had another advocate within the Lakers' ranks recommending that L.A. sign him: Former Blazers-turned-Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks."
The hope in Los Angeles is that Ayton returns to the form that saw him help the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season and provides the rim-running lob threat in the pick-and-roll that Dončić prefers.
His time in Portland was rocky, but a revitalized Ayton could be a major upgrade for the Lakers at center, one of the team's biggest weaknesses coming into the offseason.
