Adding a talented center to the roster was the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest task in the offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers resolved this by welcoming DeAndre Ayton to the team on a two-year deal. Ayton signed with the Lakers after confirming his contract purchase with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Ayton appears trapped as he recently shared his ambitions to win the NBA championship in purple and gold.
Despite the excitement of Ayton playing for the Lakers, NBA analyst Nick Wright is baffled over the massive signature.
Signing a former No. 1 general pick that is about to enter the prime of his career is usually considered a stolen. In particular, Ayton is considering making a little north of $16 million over two years.
Even with that knowledge, Wright hoped the Lakers would seriously pursue Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazzes this offseason.
“I got into the offseason and realized that the Lakers had to clearly get centers, they didn’t have centers.
“For $8 million, Deandre Ayton’s dice roll is good. That’s a bet I’d made,” Wright said first.
He added:
Even if the Lakers were unable to get Kessler, Wright could still live with the addition of Ayton. However, one move he is unacceptable is the signature of Jay Claravia.
Laravia signed as a free agent with the Lakers. This essentially replaces Dorian Finney Smith.
“I don’t hate the addition of Ayton. I’m not optimistic, but I’m a bit overwhelmed with the centers they got, but aside from that, the roster has gotten worse. Dorian Finney Smith’s Laravia is downgraded.”
On the contrary, it may seem that Wright thinks that Laravia and Ayton, who replace DFS, are the masterstrokes.
After all, the Lakers not only got a young advance from the bench, but they also have a centre at their starting point.