A competing Western Conference franchise has potentially solved the Los Angeles Lakers' conundrum at the center position, though L.A. still has to close the deal.
Los Angeles could attempt to trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for oft-injured big man Robert Williams III, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2025-26, and hope that he can get/remain healthy after just 61 games played over the past three seasons.
ESPN's Bobby Marks crafted a trade idea on Saturday, June 28, that matches the salaries of Lakers players Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin with that of Williams, throws in a second-round pick as a sweetener and calls it a day.
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Former Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton (22) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15).
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
But the Trail Blazers and DeAndre Ayton reached a contract buyout late Sunday that will put the center and former No. 1 overall pick of the Phoenix Suns on the open market a little less than two days from now with the freedom to sign with any franchise that will have him.
"Ayton has to clear waivers in 48 hours," ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported via X Sunday. "Portland had a glut of centers after the draft and it’s very hard to trade a player making as much as he does. Expect teams that need a center to be very active with him."
The Lakers should be among those teams, as Marks explained this particular scenario will allow Los Angeles to pursue Ayton, even despite the amount of money he is making via the buyout.
"Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+," Marks clarified on X. "The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season. He had $35.6M left on an expiring contract."
That is not to say it's a lock Ayton ends up in L.A., though the Lakers' new ownership group and the presence of Luka Doncic on the roster -- perhaps for the remainder of what is already a Hall of Fame career seven years in -- should provide a strong pull for a young center (28 years old in July) who grew up in warm, sunny locales, has already had a taste of the NBA Finals once in his career and just stated publicly that he is thirsty for more.