The Los Angeles Lakers have found their centre.

Deandre Ayton agreed to a contract with the Lakers on Wednesday after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports.

The deal will reportedly pay Ayton $33.7millon for the 2025-26 season - with $8.1million coming from Los Angeles and the other $25.6million from Portland's buyout. It includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.

Ayton fills the need at centre for the Lakers, who will team him alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves.

Free agent center DeAndre Ayton is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/mqlibRFbPU

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2025

Ayton appeared in just 40 games last season due to various injuries, and his numbers took a bit of a dip - down to averages of 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds.

The 7-footer is still viewed as an upgrade at centre for the Lakers, who started Jaxson Hayes and Dorian Finney-Smith at that position down the stretch last season following the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić.

Ayton is still a strong rebounder and finisher at the rim - his career shooting percentage is 59.0 per cent - and there is also hope a change of scenery will help the former No. 1 overall pick, who doesn't turn 27 until later this month.

Ayton was taken by the Phoenix Suns first overall in the 2018 draft - selected two spots ahead of Dončić - and was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2018-19.

He helped the Suns reach 2021 NBA Finals before being shipped to Portland prior to the start of the 2023-24 season as part of the trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.