The offseason is officially underway for the Los Angeles Lakers after they were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. It’s a massive offseason for L.A., as they could have upwards of nine free agents, including Deandre Ayton.
Ayton was given a two-year, $16.2 million deal by the Lakers last offseason after being waived by the Portland Trail Blazers. At times, he was exactly what L.A. hoped he would be on both ends of the floor, but the critiques of him — lack of motor and poor hands — were as advertised too.
He now has a decision to make in the form of an $8.1 million player option for 2026-27, but he hasn’t thought about that yet.
“Purple and gold, that’s about it. I’m just honored and happy to be on this platform, another chance and all of that,” Ayton said of his year with the Lakers. “But the great players that I have learned from here, I haven’t even thought about anything else to be honest. I just wanted to focus on this and have a little break to myself.”
Ayton, like fans will hear from many players over the next two months, is going to leave it up to discussions with his representation before making any final decisions. His opinion of the Lakers, though, was very positive.
“I trust my agents. That’s about it. I don’t really think too much about it, that’s out of my hands,” he said. “But I love it here regardless. Fans and everybody that has been around me, the coaching staff, they really treated me well, treated me like family.”
Deandre Ayton’s player option
Ayton’s player option decision is among the more interesting league-wide. It’s unclear if his value significantly exceeds that of a $8.1 million salary, but the Lakers may be on the search for a more impactful long-term starter at center.
Ayton will have to choose between taking the risk of free agency and potentially losing money by having to take another prove-it discount, and taking the guaranteed money with the Lakers but possibly be relegated to a backup center role.
There are too many moving pieces at this stage for anyone to make any definitive decisions, but Ayton’s player option will be one to watch as we head toward the end-of-June deadline.
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