Ayton Stays, Lakers Still Struggle | Portland Trail Blazers News

Deandre Ayton is staying with the Lakers on an eight-point-one-million-dollar player option, a move that makes financial sense given the weak market for him. While the Lakers hoped he’d revive his prime form, his inconsistent play in LA has left them stuck with a center who’s not the championship-caliber anchor they need. Portland’s decision to buy out his contract last year was a smart move — they cut losses and let him find a better fit. Now, with Luka Dončić at the helm, the Lakers must prioritize building around him, not settling for a starting center who’s proven unreliable. Ayton may still start, but the team’s long-term vision demands a better option — and they’re already behind the curve. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/95ece0ec98e5b56c