Deandre Ayton was officially introduced as a new member of the Los Angeles Lakers, expressing excitement about playing alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He praised their playmaking ability and hopes they can help him return to his peak form.
Deandre Ayton is ready for a fresh start — and he's excited about who he's sharing the floor with.
Free throws this season
Los Angeles Lakers
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Speaking Tuesday during his official Lakers introduction at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, the former No. 1 overall pick shared his thoughts on joining a new-look Los Angeles Lakers squad alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
“They both average about nine assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates,” Ayton said, per Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.
“They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor. Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that would be big for me.”
Credit AP Photo/Rick Bowmer - Scanpix
Ayton comes to L.A. after spending five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and two more with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 7-footer has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 59% shooting from the field.
He’s started 391 of his 398 career games and was a key piece on the Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals run.
The 26-year-old big man said joining the Lakers wasn’t a tough call, especially given the opportunity to play with two elite passers in LeBron and Luka.
“Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the (NBA) Finals,” Ayton added. “It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me that’s leading to wins.”
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