Los Angeles Lakers make powerful Deandre Ayton signing as Rob Pelinka races to secure LeBron James future

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 08, 2025, 04:56 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Los Angeles Lakers are strengthening their team. They signed Deandre Ayton to boost their center position. General Manager Rob Pelinka sees this as a key move. Ayton's skills will support LeBron James and Luka Doncic. The Lakers also added Jaxson Hayes for depth. They are considering Al Horford to improve defense.

Los Angeles Lakers make powerful Deandre Ayton signing as Rob Pelinka races to secure LeBron James future (Image Source: Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the move this offseason. They’ve added a big man to boost their title chase. General Manager Rob Pelinka described this signing as a key step to shake up the team’s direction. With LeBron James’s future still in question, the Lakers hope a new strategy could not only please their star but also bring them closer to another championship.

Deandre Ayton signing shows Los Angeles Lakers’ clear push for finals success

On July 8, the Los Angeles Lakers officially signed Deandre Ayton, the former No. 1 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft, to strengthen their center position. At 6’11”, Ayton brings size, athleticism, and playoff experience. He helped the Phoenix Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals and now joins LeBron James under a contract supported by Pelinka.

Pelinka said, “Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason, and we believe Deandre is an amazing solution to that objective and is an ideal player to add to our current core.” His words show how much the team wants to build a title-ready roster around James and their new face, Luka Doncic.

Rob Pelinka adds depth, experience, and flexibility to support LeBron James

Deandre Ayton fills a gap by protecting the rim and scoring in the paint. He excels in pick-and-roll plays, a role he perfected alongside Chris Paul in Phoenix.

The Lakers believe Ayton’s strength around the basket balances LeBron’s playmaking.The front office also added Jaxson Hayes, known for a high shooting percentage and energy off the bench. Hayes’s 72% shooting last season gives useful depth to the center rotation. Plus, the team is eyeing a veteran such as Al Horford to further solidify their interior defense.Also Read: NBA blow as Tyrese Haliburton ruled out and Myles Turner exits spark Indiana Pacers collapseWhile LeBron James, now 40 in the coming season, evaluates his future, Lakers leaders hope a strong center rotation convinces him to stay. If Ayton hits his ceiling beside James and Doncic, the Lakers may soon form one of the most competitive lineups in the NBA.

Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu’s inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article