Deandre Ayton Is Staying with the Lakers: Here’s What That Means

Who Is Deandre Ayton?

Deandre Ayton is a professional basketball player who plays center for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a really tall, talented guy who was once picked first overall in the NBA draft — meaning every team in the league had a chance to pick him, and one team thought he was the best player available!

Before joining the Lakers, Ayton played for:

• The Phoenix Suns (his first five seasons)
• The Portland Trail Blazers (two seasons)
• The Los Angeles Lakers (most recently)

What Just Happened?

Ayton has decided to opt into his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Let’s break that down in simple terms:

• A "player option" is like a special choice written into a player’s contract. It lets the player decide whether they want to play one more year for a set amount of money or become a free agent and try to sign a new deal elsewhere.
• By "opting in," Ayton is choosing to stay with the Lakers and collect that $8.1 million for the upcoming season.

Why Did Ayton Make This Move?

Here’s where the story gets interesting. Last summer, Ayton made a pretty big sacrifice:

• He was originally owed $35.6 million by the Portland Trail Blazers.
• He gave up $10 million of that money to reach a buyout agreement — basically, both sides agreed to part ways early so Ayton could sign with a new team.
• He then signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal with the Lakers, which included that player option for the second year.

Important Point: Ayton took a massive pay cut on purpose. He gave up $10 million because he believed playing for a high-profile team like the Lakers would help him rebuild his reputation and value in the NBA.

How Did Ayton Perform with the Lakers?

Pretty well, actually! Here are his numbers:

Regular Season:

• 12.5 points per game
• 67.1% shooting (that’s really good — it means he made nearly 7 out of every 10 shots he took)
• 8.0 rebounds per game

Playoffs:

• 10.0 points per game
• 9.6 rebounds per game
• He had a strong performance to close out the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs

What Does This Mean Going Forward?

Ayton, who turns 28 years old this summer, is in the prime of his career. By opting into his $8.1 million deal, he’s:

1. Staying with a championship-contending team in the Lakers
2. Continuing to prove himself as a valuable starting center
3. Setting himself up for a potentially bigger contract in the future if he keeps playing well

Summary

Deandre Ayton chose to give up $10 million last summer to join the Lakers, betting on himself to shine on a big stage. He played well during the regular season and playoffs, and now he’s decided to stay for another year at $8.1 million. It’s a smart move for a player who’s still working to prove he’s worth every penny — and then some.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a player option in the NBA?
A: It’s a clause in a player’s contract that lets them decide whether to play one more year for a set salary or become a free agent and sign with any team.

Q: Why did Deandre Ayton give up $10 million?
A: He gave up that money to get out of his contract with Portland early so he could sign with the Lakers, a team with a bigger spotlight where he could rebuild his value.

Q: How much is Ayton making with the Lakers?
A: His two-year deal was worth $16.2 million total, and he just opted into the second year worth $8.1 million.

Q: Was Ayton a good pick for the Lakers?
A: Based on his stats — 12.5 points, 8 rebounds, and nearly 67% shooting — he was a solid contributor, especially as a starting center.

Q: How old is Deandre Ayton?
A: He turns 28 years old in the summer of 2026, which is right in the middle of a basketball player’s prime years.