<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-adou-thiero-dodger-stadium');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Deandre-Ayton-2.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-10T04:27:04-07:00">August 10th, 4:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-10T04:27:45-07:00">August 10th, 4:27am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a slow a start, the Los Angeles Lakers have made multiple moves to strengthen the roster this offseason. While the additions of Adou Thiero and Jake LaRavia offer depth and scoring, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-eye-opening-reason-behind-la-decision">DeAndre Ayton is potentially a long-term solution at the Center</a>. </p><p>All three of the brand-new Lakers were at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays, and even took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the annual Lakers Night celebration. The Lakers’ official X handle <a href="https://x.com/Lakers/status/1954357107970683047" rel="noopener">posted a series of pictures of the three stars</a>, all wearing Dodgers jerseys with their own names on the back. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">DA, Adou, and Jake reppin’ LA 💙 <a href="https://t.co/kLm4irv4s1">pic.twitter.com/kLm4irv4s1</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1954357107970683047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The three stars also wore their own Lakers numbers on the back. Ayton wore the No. 5, Thiero wore No. 1, while LaRavia attended the event wearing a No. 12 jersey.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our newest Lakers are at <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> stadium! <a href="https://t.co/lqHCfEEN5e">pic.twitter.com/lqHCfEEN5e</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1954350288305058005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Ayton, LaRavia, and Thiero not only delivered the ceremonial pitches but also joined in the tradition of leading the crowd with the iconic <i>“It’s Time for Dodger Baseball!”</i> rallying cry. However, before that, the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even offered the Lakers stars pitching pointers before they stepped onto the mound. </p><p>The event took place just a day after Kobe Bryant was honored at the stadium with a special bobblehead and a first pitch thrown by his daughter Bianka. The Dodgers are the defending World Series champions and seem on track for another title. The game started in competitive fashion before turning into a rout.</p><p>Blake Snell was dominant for the Dodgers, striking out 10 over five shutout innings. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-shohei-ohtani-joins-40-home-run-club-center-field-moonshot">Shohei Ohtani’s 40th homer of the season</a> and a Max Muncy blast accounted for the early damage, but it was the Jays’ inability to contain the bottom of the Dodgers’ order that turned a competitive game into a rout. Certainly an entertaining first piece of action for the Lakers in attendance as well.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, Adou Thiero represent LA hoops at Dodger Stadium

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-gilbert-arenas-insinuates-lebron-james-exit-blowing-off-deandre-ayton');   ga('set', 'title', 'Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lakers-LeBron-James-likely-extension.jpg"><figcaption>© Matt Blewett-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-11T09:02:45-07:00">July 11th, 9:02am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-11T09:02:45-07:00">July 11th, 9:02am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas has stirred <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-shams-charania-lebron-james-mindset-impasse">speculation around LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers</a>, suggesting the 40-year-old star could be on his way out of the franchise following an apparent lack of communication with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-paul-pierce-has-questions-deandre-ayton-value">newly signed center Deandre Ayton</a>.</p><p>On the latest episode of Gil’s Arena, Arenas pointed to the fact that Ayton did not receive a welcome message from James after joining the Lakers, while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-welcome-text-luka-doncic">Luka Doncic reportedly did reach out to Ayton</a> following the signing.</p><p>“Go ahead and say it man, ‘I ain’t texting this [expletive] that I ain’t playing with. I don’t even know if I’m on this team,’” Arenas said, implying James’ silence could reflect uncertainty about his involvement with the team moving forward.</p><p>When co-host Nick Young teased Arenas for his critical tone toward James, Arenas responded by suggesting that the dynamic has shifted.</p><p>“We don’t know if he’s going to be here,” Arenas said. “If he’s not going to be here then it goes back to normal. If you’re a Laker you’re protected. If you’re not a Laker you’re just on out there.”</p><h2><b>Gilbert Arenas questions LeBron James’ future with Lakers as they retool around Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lebron-james-and-luka-doncic-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the commentary, James has already opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, confirming his return for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign. He finished his 22nd season averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal per game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three across 70 appearances. He logged 34.9 minutes per game.</p><p>The Lakers, however, are undergoing a significant roster transition. Doncic, acquired at the trade deadline in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-1-factor-that-allowed-la-to-not-trade-farm-for-luka-doncic">blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks</a>, is now the focal point of the organization. The team also added Ayton, who signed a two-year, $8.1 million deal after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.</p><p>Ayton, 26, is expected to anchor the frontcourt next to Doncic and provide interior presence on both ends of the floor. The former No. 1 overall pick cited Doncic ’s playmaking ability as a key reason for joining the Lakers, according to a report from HoopsHype.</p><p>Head coach JJ Redick enters his second season as the team continues to shift toward a younger core, even as James remains on the roster. While James has committed to playing the upcoming season, Arenas’ remarks highlight ongoing questions about his long-term outlook with the franchise.</p><p>With training camp approaching, the Lakers are expected to solidify rotations around Doncic, Ayton, and James. The team continues to explore additional roster moves as it prepares for the 2025–26 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Gilbert Arenas insinuates LeBron James-Lakers exit after blowing off Deandre Ayton

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-draws-nikola-jokic-comp-the-herd');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Denver-Nuggets-center-Nikola-Jokic-15-controls-the-ball-as-Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Deandre-Ayton-2-guards-in-the-first-quarter-at-Ball-Arena.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-10T17:36:54-07:00">July 10th, 5:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-10T17:36:54-07:00">July 10th, 5:36pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Deandre Ayton and Nikola Jokic are two talented big men in the NBA. However, one analyst <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">believes the new Los Angeles Lakers center</a> should be in the same class as the Denver Nuggets superstar as well as Milwaukee Bucks sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p><p>Jason McIntyre appeared on a July 10 edition of Fox Sports’ The Herd show with host Colin Cowherd. It was there that he expressed in a section about why Ayton <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943405681232744959" rel="noopener">should be in the same spotlight</a> as Jokic and Antetokounmpo.</p><p>“Deandre Ayton, through his first 7 seasons, is a top 8 center in the league… He was obviously in Portland, so nobody paid attention,” McIntyre said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Deandre Ayton, through his first 7 seasons, is a top 8 center in the league… He was obviously in Portland, so nobody paid attention.”</p><p>Jason McIntyre says Deandre Ayton is in the same class as players like Nikola Jokic and Giannis 👀</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHerd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheHerd</a>)<a href="https://t.co/zi5vlKVPUe">pic.twitter.com/zi5vlKVPUe</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943405681232744959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>What lies ahead for Deandre Ayton, Lakers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Deandre-Ayton-2-reaches-for-a-pass-in-front-of-Los-Angeles-Lakers-guard-Max-Christie-12-in-the-first-half-at-Crypto.com-Arena.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A bold statement for Jason McIntyre to make about Deandre Ayton, who hasn’t been in the same spotlight as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p><p>While Jokic and Antetokounmpo have broken records en route to winning championships in 2021 and 2023, Ayton has been in limbo with his level of play. While the numbers are still solid, he hasn’t showed that he can be consistent as one of the best centers in the league.</p><p>Which is where his beginning with the Lakers comes in. It presents a big opportunity for him to gain chemistry with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. They are superstars who won’t hesitate to create scoring chances for their new teammate to flourish with. Since he will be the best center on the squad, Ayton has the biggest chance to dominate on the court.</p><p>In 95 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 56.9% from the field and 75.5% from the free-throw line.</p><p>Ayton will look forward to his time with the Lakers. He seeks to help them make their case as title contenders for the 2025-26 campaign.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton draws wild Nikola Jokic comp on The Herd

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-channing-frye-unloads-luka-doncic-deandre-ayton-duo-defensive-woes');   ga('set', 'title', 'Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton-1.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-10T09:07:22-07:00">July 10th, 9:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-10T09:07:22-07:00">July 10th, 9:07am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>ESPN analyst Channing Frye isn’t confident in the Los Angeles <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-in-disbelief-teaming-luka-doncic">Lakers’ new Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton pairing</a>, and didn’t hold back in his concerns over their defensive approach. Frye started his take by questioning the two veterans’ abilities to defend the pick-and-roll and how he believes it’ll be an ongoing issue throughout the 2025-26 campaign.</p><p>Frye <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE-UZQG6Jy0&amp;t=2195s" rel="noopener">discussed his take</a> on the Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton, per the Road Trippin’ podcast.</p><p>“We could get into details, and I’m going to be quick. The Luka Doncic/Deandre Ayton screen and roll; that’s barbecue chicken,” Frye said. “That’s one of the worst ones in the NBA. So, unless they want to address that.”</p><p>When his co-host Richard Jefferson asked to clarify on which end of the ball he was referring to, Frye unloaded on the Lakers’ projected defense with Ayton added to the mix.</p><p>“Defensively gross. Oh, and offensively, if he’s not committed to being an every single time run to the rim guy, it’s going to look even worse.”</p><p>Add another gallon of doubt into Ayton’s tank as the 2018 first overall pick has heard plenty of doubt about what he can bring to the Lakers, who are coming off back-to-back first-round exits in the playoffs. Still, Ayton’s excited for the opportunity of teaming up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and is <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521" rel="noopener">using the public’s criticism as motivation</a>.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold. And it’s a platform I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"It fuels me… I can show what I really am and be around some greats.”</p><p>Newest Laker Deandre Ayton when asked about the criticisms surrounding him 👀</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/khobi_price?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@khobi_price</a>)<a href="https://t.co/S0DtDtkqvI">pic.twitter.com/S0DtDtkqvI</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Deandre Ayton fires back at critics doubting Lakers’ offseason</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-guard-Luka-Doncic_aee097.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Channing Frye watched Lakers center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">Deandre Ayton fire back at his critics</a>, doubting the magnitude of the Lakers’ offseason signing. For those questioning Ayton’s ability to make a significant impact in 2025-26, they may want to reconsider Deandre excitement in teaming up with Luka Doncic.</p><p>“Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate,” said Ayton. “Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped, and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”</p><p>Ayton is eager to prove his doubters wrong.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Channing Frye unloads on Lakers’ Luka Doncic-Deandre Ayton duo’s defensive woes

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-paul-pierce-has-questions-deandre-ayton-value');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paul Pierce has questions about Deandre Ayton’s value to Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NBA-analyst-Paul-Pierce.jpg"><figcaption>Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Paul Pierce has questions about Deandre Ayton’s value to Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-09T16:14:56-07:00">July 9th, 4:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T17:20:05-07:00">July 9th, 5:20pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>NBA analyst Paul Pierce didn’t hold back in sharing his honest thoughts on how close the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-rob-pelinka-lays-out-what-deandre-ayton-brings-to-la">Deandre Ayton signing brings them to being title contenders</a>. Pierce had a bigger name in mind for the Lakers’ offseason. However, those All-Star players, such as Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokić and Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, are unavailable this offseason.</p><p>While trading for Ayton fills a much-needed void at center for the Lakers, Pierce isn’t confident that the one move alone pushes the Lakers <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1943072286044754297" rel="noopener">to be a title-contending team</a> in 2025-26.</p><p>“I’m not sure if he’s the answer in winning a championship,” Pierce said. “If you had told me they were getting the Joker or Antetokounmpo. Then, I’d think, ‘Oh, they should be the favorites.’ But since they’re getting a guy who’s still trying to find his way in the NBA, he’s been on multiple teams, this being his third team in I believe in six years of being the No. 1 pick, and not really, yet, finding a home, I’m not sure how much he pushes the needle.”</p><p>Still, Pierce expects Ayton to play well. However, will it push the Lakers into the upper echelon of the Western Conference?</p><p>“Yes, he can bring some intangibles that they need,” Pierce added. “A shotblocker, a lob threat, and a big guy in the middle are all things that the Lakers needed. So, to answer your question, what’s the Lakers’ ceiling with Deandre Ayton? Now, they’ve lost in the first round in three straight years. I think they’re still in need of more athleticism and more defense on the perimeter. I think they’re a second-round ceiling.”</p><p>Even though the Lakers are adding Ayton to a full season of All-Star LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Paul Pierce is not convinced it’s enough.</p><p>“You gotta understand: LeBron is a year older,” Pierce said. “Will LeBron play 65 or more games? That’s gotta factor into it. How healthy will Luka be? They don’t have too much depth, yet. So, if they make it to the second round with the roster as constructed, that’s a win/win.”</p><h2><b>Deandre Ayton fires back at critics on Lakers signing</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton_25055c.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">Deandre Ayton fired back at his Lakers critics</a>. However, Ayton is using the underwhelming response to his teaming up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic to his advantage ahead of next season.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time,” Ayton said. “I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold.”</p><p>The Lakers could also be on the verge of making one more offseason move.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paul Pierce has questions about Deandre Ayton’s value to Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-welcome-text-luka-doncic');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton reveals welcome text from Luka Doncic');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-guard-Luka-Doncic.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton reveals welcome text from Luka Doncic</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-09T07:15:02-07:00">July 9th, 7:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T07:25:54-07:00">July 9th, 7:25am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton says he received a welcome message from his new teammate Luka Doncic amid his free agency signing. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-in-disbelief-teaming-luka-doncic">Ayton is still in disbelief that he’s joining Doncic</a> and the Lakers. Ayton was the first overall pick in his 2018 NBA Draft, which is the same draft class as Luka, who was selected third overall. Now, two of the top-three standouts from that draft are on the same team.</p><p>Ayton says he hasn’t <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYozTHETvdQ" rel="noopener">received a ton of text messages</a> from the entire team except for Doncic, who reached out, per ESPN LA’s Sedano &amp; Kap.</p><p>“Not really yet, but I definitely got a text from Luka. I know how the offseason goes. This is not my first rodeo,” Ayton said. “People are probably busy training and spending time with their families. I’m just trying to integrate myself with the team and get to know everybody.”</p><p>Ayton recently compared joining Doncic on the same team to a video game. Ayton can’t wait to get started, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.</p><p>“Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate,” Ayton said. “Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped, and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”</p><p>For Doncic and Ayton, it’ll be their first Lakers training camp together in preparation for the 2025-26 campaign.</p><h2><b>Deandre Ayton fires back at harsh critics amid Lakers arrival</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton_222105.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Los Angeles Lakers center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron">Deandre Ayton clapped back at critics questioning his potential</a> to succeed on alongside Lakers All-Star LeBron James and Luka Doncic. To those harsh critics, Ayton’s determined to prove them wrong. However, he didn’t deny the impact it had on his approach.</p><p>Ayton uses the doubt as motivation, yielding what Ayton believes is his destiny in joining such a storied franchise while playing alongside future Hall of Fame talent, per Lakers reporter Khobi Price.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time,” Ayton said. “I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold. And it’s a platform I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”</p><p>Ayton averaged 14.4 points on 56.6% shooting, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Blazers in 2024-25.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton reveals welcome text from Luka Doncic

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-rumors-golden-state-gave-deandre-ayton-stiff-arm');   ga('set', 'title', 'Warriors rumors: Golden State gave Deandre Ayton the stiff-arm');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DeAndre-Ayton-rises-up-for-a-shot.jpg"><figcaption>© troy wayrynen-usa today sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Warriors rumors: Golden State gave Deandre Ayton the stiff-arm</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-09T06:48:47-07:00">July 9th, 6:48am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T06:48:47-07:00">July 9th, 6:48am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Golden State Warriors</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers got their center in free agency after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-contract-free-agency-after-blazers-buyout">Deandre Ayton decided to sign with the team</a> after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers. Almost every team in the Western Conference has a strong frontcourt, and then you look at the Golden State Warriors. Center has been one position where they haven’t been the strongest in some time, and they <a href="https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/nba-free-agency-deandre-ayton-al-horford/1860695/" rel="noopener">could have joined</a> the Ayton sweepstakes. Surprisingly enough, they did not, according to Monte Porter of NBC Sports.</p><p>“The Warriors, according to multiple league sources, were not among the teams that lined up to gauge Ayton’s interest – despite some reports stating otherwise,” Porter wrote.</p><p>“Golden State’s lack of interest is curious because Ayton would have been a clear upgrade at center,” Porter wrote. “The 7-foot, 250-pound Bahamian would address the team’s dearth of interior length. He runs the floor well. His midrange shooting bends defenses. He’s the only active player to average scoring/rebounding double-doubles in each of his first seven seasons, and he has career averages of 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.”</p><p>Ayton would have been the perfect fit for the Warriors, but they did not go after him. It’s either that they have something up their sleeve, or they didn’t see Ayton as a true fit on the team.</p><h2><b>Warriors need frontcourt help</b></h2><p>The Warriors know that center is an important need for them in free agency, and they’ll have to address the position sooner rather than later. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/celtics-news-brad-stevens-makes-al-horford-admission-amid-warriors-buzz">They’ve been linked to Al Horford</a> for some time now, but he may be receiving interest from other teams as well. If Horford decides to sign somewhere else, it will be interesting to see what the Warriors do.</p><p>As of now, they have Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, but they may want somebody more proven at the position. Kevon Looney left to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans, so the Warriors will need a true veteran in the frontcourt.</p><p>Draymond Green has played center more times than not in his career, but as he’s gotten older, head coach Steve Kerr has been trying to limit his minutes there. The options at center in the free agent market might be slim right now, and the Warriors could either sign someone, trade for someone, or stick with what they have.</p><p>There’s a good chance that they won’t say pat, and they’ll end up finding a way to improve their roster.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Warriors rumors: Golden State gave Deandre Ayton the stiff-arm

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-critics-statement-free-agency-lebron');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton fires back at critics with stern statement amid LA arrival');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Deandre-Ayton-2.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton fires back at critics with stern statement amid LA arrival</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-08T17:58:15-07:00">July 8th, 5:58pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-08T17:58:15-07:00">July 8th, 5:58pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers made one of the most talked-about moves of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-rob-pelinka-lays-out-what-deandre-ayton-brings-to-la">NBA free agency by signing Deandre Ayton</a>, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to a two-year, $16.6 million deal. The addition comes as Los Angeles looks to retool its roster and give LeBron James one final push for a championship. For Ayton, the move is personal.</p><p>During his introductory press conference, Ayton didn’t hesitate to <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521" rel="noopener">address</a> the criticism that has followed him throughout his career.</p><p>“It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold. And it’s a platform I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"It fuels me… I can show what I really am and be around some greats.”</p><p>Newest Laker Deandre Ayton when asked about the criticisms surrounding him 👀</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/khobi_price?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@khobi_price</a>)<a href="https://t.co/S0DtDtkqvI">pic.twitter.com/S0DtDtkqvI</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942725723338465521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Ayton’s comments came just days after he agreed to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers and signed with the Lakers, filling their biggest roster need as a true starting center. While Jaxson Hayes brought athleticism, Ayton provides the interior presence and rebounding the team lacked after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic.</p><p>Still just 26 years old, the former Phoenix Suns and Trail Blazers center arrives in Los Angeles with career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds. Though he has yet to make an All-Star team and has often been seen as underwhelming for a No. 1 overall pick, this opportunity with the Lakers — alongside Doncic and James — may be his best chance yet to change that narrative.</p><p>Ayton joins a legendary lineage of big men in Lakers history, from George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain to Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, and Davis himself. The pressure will be high, but Ayton made it clear he welcomes it. With Doncic running the show and LeBron entering a record-breaking 23rd season, the pieces are in place for Ayton to thrive in the spotlight.</p><p>After stints in Phoenix and Portland, Ayton’s numbers dipped last season to 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 games. Still, he believes this is a fresh start. His drive, his words, and his fit with the Lakers roster suggest the former top pick might be ready to deliver on his potential.</p><p>The Lakers are betting that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-championship-desire-signing">Ayton’s blend of athleticism, size, and renewed motivation</a> can anchor a new era for the franchise. And judging by his tone, he sounds ready for the challenge.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton fires back at critics with stern statement amid LA arrival

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-eye-opening-reason-behind-la-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Deandre Ayton shares eye-opening reason behind Lakers decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Center-Deandre-Ayton.jpg"><figcaption>Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Deandre Ayton shares eye-opening reason behind Lakers decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-08T17:51:10-07:00">July 8th, 5:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-08T18:10:30-07:00">July 8th, 6:10pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers’ vision for the 2025-26 campaign seems almost set, as they build a roster that will optimally put up more of a fight in the playoffs next year. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-insider-thinks-lebron-james-is-venting-instead-of-eyeing-trade">The LeBron James-related concern</a> that surfaced at the beginning of the offseason is starting to diminish, Luka Doncic is reportedly prioritizing his conditioning and the team now knows who its starting center will be for the immediate future. The importance of that last part cannot be overstated.</p><p>Deandre Ayton, who signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $16.2 million contract last week, could be an X-factor for this squad. There are multiple reasons why LA fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the postseason, but a strong interior presence definitely could have made some difference. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, if healthy, could be a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-in-disbelief-teaming-luka-doncic">nice compliment to James and Luka Doncic</a>.</p><p>Those two superstars are partially why Ayton joined the Lakers instead of other free-agent suitors. He believes their prodigious talents, coupled with the aura that emanates from Crypto.com Arena, was just <a href="https://x.com/LakersReporter/status/1942718770717544810" rel="noopener">too tempting to resist</a>.</p><p>“The teams that me and my agents evaluated during that time span, I feel that the Lakers was the best fit,” the 26-year-old big man said, per Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell. “Being around the two best playmakers in the league, and just Laker Nation, having the fan base behind them (like) I’ve never seen before and just to be a part of it, knowing the winning legacy that this organization has. I know the expectations. I know that winning means a lot here.”</p><h2><b>Did the Lakers solve their center problem, once and for all?</b></h2><p>Deandre Ayton is saying all the right things. Fans demand players who understand the prestige and responsibilities that come with wearing the Purple and Gold. Though, the only way the 7-footer can truly ingratiate himself to the LA faithful is by taking care of business on the court.</p><p>Ayton played in just 95 games combined for the Portland Trail Blazers over the last two seasons. Persisting injury issues are historically a serious concern at this specific position, so <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-legendary-big-man-responds-deandre-ayton-skepticism">there is understandably some skepticism</a> surrounding his arrival. There is also the narrative that he lacks the necessary discipline to elevate his game to the next level. Despite those valid worries, Ayton is still averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in his career.</p><p>Adding that level of production to a squad that boasts two prolific postseason performers like LeBron James and Luka Doncic could be crucial. The Lakers have no time to waste, and Ayton also needs to move quickly if he wishes to ink a huge contract when he next hits free agency. This is a major opportunity for both parties. Now, they must seize it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Deandre Ayton shares eye-opening reason behind Lakers decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-in-disbelief-teaming-luka-doncic');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ Deandre Ayton in disbelief about teaming up with Luka Doncic');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Deandre-Ayton-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers’ Deandre Ayton in disbelief about teaming up with Luka Doncic</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-08T16:51:59-07:00">July 8th, 4:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T16:38:37-07:00">July 9th, 4:38pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-contract-free-agency-after-blazers-buyout">Los Angeles Lakers just signed Deandre Ayton</a> to a two-year contract worth just over $16 million. He’ll step in as the starting center and have the opportunity to bounce back from an injury-filled season with the Portland Trail Blazers. At the very least, he seems excited about playing alongside Luka Doncic, as Ayton revealed what it feels like to call Doncic his teammate.</p><p>Ayton, who is 26 years old, admitted that having Doncic as his teammate is like <a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/deandre-ayton-joins-lakers-championship-vision" rel="noopener">living in a video game</a>, according to insider Mark Medina. With the Lakers finding a way to acquire Deandre Ayton in free agency, the 7-foot center feels as though the move is reminiscent of the franchise mode in NBA2K.</p><p>“Deandre Ayton on getting to team up with Luka Doncic: ‘It feels like a video game. This is an opportunity I won’t take for granted.'”</p><p>In a further statement with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Ayton praised Doncic <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1942728015995133959" rel="noopener">for his skills on the court</a> and expressed how excited he is to play alongside the 26-year-old guard. Considering that both players are the same age, there is a chance the Lakers have found a future long-term duo.</p><p>“Luka is a once-in-a-generation player, and I’m happy to be his teammate,” said Deandre Ayton. “Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped, and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”</p><p>Although Ayton only played in 40 games last season, he proved to be rather consistent when healthy. He’s more of an offensive-minded center, and that showed during his two-year stint in Portland. Deandre Ayton ended the 2024-25 campaign averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He also averaged 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 56.6% from the floor and 66.7% from the charity stripe.</p><p>The Lakers are rumored to be more focused on building for the long term, but based on the roster, the team should be competitive next season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-championship-desire-signing">Deandre Ayton himself even expressed a desire</a> to win a championship in L.A. after signing his contract. We’ll see how it plays out, but with Ayton, Doncic, and LeBron James all on the same team, Los Angeles is primed for a possible playoff run next season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton in disbelief about teaming up with Luka Doncic

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-reveals-championship-desire-signing');   ga('set', 'title', 'Deandre Ayton reveals ‘championship’ desire after signing with Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Deandre-Ayton-attempting-a-three-point-shot-in-the-Blazers-loss-to-the-Knicks.jpeg"><figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Deandre Ayton reveals ‘championship’ desire after signing with Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-08T15:55:24-07:00">July 8th, 3:55pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-08T15:55:24-07:00">July 8th, 3:55pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a Senior Editor who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, The Needle Drop, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When news broke that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-contract-free-agency-after-blazers-buyout">DeAndre Ayton was signing with the Los Angeles Lakers</a>, it elicited a range of reactions from around the Association.</p><p>Some were excited to see the Lakers land a legitimate center,<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-insane-lebron-james-no-1-pick-stat-deandre-ayton-signing"> one with No. 1 overall pick pedigree no less</a>, after watching the team get brutalized in the paint by the supersized Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs. And others? Well, they questioned if Ayton really had the drive, desire, or fortitude to become the player the Phoenix Suns envisioned when they drafted him first overall in 2018 over players like Luka Doncic and Trae Young.</p><p>While it makes sense that some fans would be hesitant about going all in on Ayton fandom before he even took the court in a purple and yellow jersey, especially after Jason Quick <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nba-free-agency-2025-offseason-trade-rumors-news/fnwUjcuMFEqi/cs2z4lsUDdwo/" rel="noopener">highlighted his unpopularity</a> within the Portland organization for The Athletic, to his credit, the Bahamian center had his <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/1942711899973640558" rel="noopener">head in the right place</a> during his introductory press conference with reporters.</p><p>“We want to win a championship right now,” Ayton declared via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.</p><p>Now granted, can pretty much anyone make such a declaration in July, when games are still months away and there’s a long enough runway to spin a narrative before the live bullets start to fly? Most certainly; very few free agents have anything bad to say about their new teams, and Ayton didn’t buck that trend upon his arrival in LA.</p><p>Still, there are reasons to believe that maybe Ayton really is dedicated to defining this next chapter of his NBA career himself, as he reportedly <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/former-blazers-star-asked-portland-to-buy-out-his-contract" rel="noopener">asked for a buyout</a> from the Trail Blazers in order to stake his claim on a contender instead of spending another year on a losing team with a big man logjam.</p><p>Will Ayton be the missing piece in the Lakers’ frontcourt? Will he be able to set screens for Austin Reaves, space the floor for LeBron James, and slam down alley-oops for Luka Doncic as a lunchpail player willing to do the dirty work? Only time will tell, but right now, he’s certainly saying all the right things for fans to get excited about the fall, which is the first box he needed to check in that pursuit.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deandre Ayton on joining the Lakers:</p><p>“We want to win a championship right now” <a href="https://t.co/mIvGU0gdKe">pic.twitter.com/mIvGU0gdKe</a></p><p>— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sleeper_Hoops/status/1942712606470640098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Deandre Ayton reveals ‘championship’ desire after signing with Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-rob-pelinka-lays-out-what-deandre-ayton-brings-to-la');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rob Pelinka lays out what Deandre Ayton brings to Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Luka-Doncic-77-against-Phoenix-Suns-center-Deandre-Ayton-22-in-game-seven.jpg"><figcaption>© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rob Pelinka lays out what Deandre Ayton brings to Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-06T20:10:33-07:00">July 6th, 8:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-06T20:10:33-07:00">July 6th, 8:10pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday night, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-erupt-after-las-8-word-deandre-ayton-announcement">Deandre Ayton was officially announced</a> as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers after the 26-year-old center finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers a week ago. Ayton is coming in to be the Lakers’ new starting center after they finished last season with Jaxson Hayes (not a starting-caliber big) getting benched by head coach JJ Redick, and in a playoff matchup against the supersized Minnesota Timberwolves, no less.</p><p>Addressing the center position was a major necessity for the Lakers, and it looked as though the best options on the market were either flying off the free-agent market or were too expensive to acquire via trade. But after Ayton was bought out by the Blazers, there was simply too much noise linking the former first overall pick to the Lakers — and now, he’ll be teaming up with Luka Doncic and LeBron James.</p><p>Ayton is not coming in without his fair share of issues, but for the price, the Lakers could not have done any better. And at the very least, Lakers president and general manager Rob Pelinka <a href="https://x.com/DStarkand/status/1942026886944792957" rel="noopener">believes in</a> what the 26-year-old brings to the table.</p><p>“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,” Pelinka said in the press release of Ayton’s signing, via Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation.</p><p>“Deandre’s size, mobility and athleticism will allow both paint scoring and paint protection. Deandre’s playoff experience as a starter on an NBA Finals team also aligns well with our ultimate Lakers championship aspirations.”</p><p>Now that they have acquired their starting center, the Lakers can now focus their efforts on acquiring another 3-and-D wing after losing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency.</p><h2><b>Deandre Ayton should be rejuvenated with the Lakers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lakers-LeBron-James-shoots-over-Blazers-Deandre-Ayton.jpg"><figcaption>© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Over the past two seasons, Ayton hasn’t exactly been playing for anything, which perhaps contributed to the lethargic effort and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-brutal-deandre-ayton-blazers-revelations-lakers-pause">poor reviews he drew from anonymous sources</a>. But when he was playing for a contending Phoenix Suns team and had the veteran leadership of Chris Paul helping him lock in, Ayton was at his best and nearly was the starting center on a championship squad.</p><p>James won’t take well to stretches of bad effort from Ayton, so at the very least, the 26-year-old will have a Paul-like figure in the Lakers locker room that will bring out the best in him.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rob Pelinka lays out what Deandre Ayton brings to Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-erupt-after-las-8-word-deandre-ayton-announcement');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers fans erupt after 8-word Deandre Ayton announcement');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers fans erupt after 8-word Deandre Ayton announcement</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-06T19:41:34-07:00">July 6th, 7:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-06T19:41:34-07:00">July 6th, 7:41pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers had one urgent area of need to address this offseason and they managed to do so in a big way (pun intended). On Sunday, it was officially announced by the Lakers’ official account on X that they had brought in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-ayton-six-word-message-los-angeles">Deandre Ayton to be the team’s new starting center</a>. Ayton agreed with his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, on a buyout, paving the way for the Lakers to <a href="https://x.com/Lakers/status/1942026140903989420" rel="noopener">bring him in</a> on a two-year, $16.6 million contract (with a player option for the second season).</p><p>“OFFICIAL: Welcome to the Purple &amp; Gold, Deandre,” the Lakers’ post reads.</p><p>Ayton has drawn mixed reviews from pundits and anonymous sources alike, but one thing’s for sure: his arrival allows the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-1-sneaky-reason-deandre-ayton-signing">Lakers to field a starting-caliber center</a> who averaged a double-double last season for such a cheap price. And Lakers fans, ever the loud bunch, celebrated the announcement of his addition on social media.</p><p>“To get a player like Ayton for what they gave him and he fits an exact need with our Playmakers, this was a great fit for the Lakers,” X user @EmpireJeffTV <a href="https://x.com/EmpireJeffTV/status/1942046325186634224" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p><p>“Ayton will feast! A solid 4th option with 2 god-tier playmakers not mentioning reaves ascend as a decent one. He just need to up his efforts and intensity. Hope he stays healthy,” @5kyvzz22jf <a href="https://x.com/5kyvzz22jf/status/1942039841669316718" rel="noopener">furthered</a>.</p><h2><b>Lakers could not have done better than Deandre Ayton for the price</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton-ii.jpg"><figcaption>Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In today’s salary cap landscape, starting-caliber big men typically go for around $25-$30 million a season. For the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-deandre-aytons-fit-lakers-conflicted-views-ex-suns-blazers-staff">Lakers to have gotten Ayton for a salary of just $8 million</a> for the upcoming campaign is nothing short of a big win.</p><p>Ayton’s effort has been questioned, and there have been some worrying reports regarding his lack of discipline in terms of punctuality. But this is a man who averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in a crowded Blazers center rotation, and he’s only 26 years old. And with him foregoing his Bird rights with this move to LA, he’s going to play with a huge chip on his shoulder, looking to prove himself as he plays for another huge contract.</p><p>“It’s crazy because two weeks ago, there was no way we could trade for Ayton with his huge salary. We blink and now he’s a Laker. Couldn’t had fathomed this 3 weeks ago. This is a huge win for the Lakers and all it cost us was DFS actually,” @Trone99 <a href="https://x.com/Trone99/status/1942038488066454001" rel="noopener">explained</a>.</p><p>“Deandre Ayton being the 3rd/4th option behind Luka Bron Reaves Rui is the perfect situation, especially making 8 Mil this season from the Lakers. It’s a do or die situation if he wants another NBA contract. Time to get to work,” @L_apostrophe_z <a href="https://x.com/L_apostrophe_z/status/1942043331275456530" rel="noopener">added</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers fans erupt after 8-word Deandre Ayton announcement

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-legendary-big-man-responds-deandre-ayton-skepticism');   ga('set', 'title', 'Legendary Lakers big man responds to Deandre Ayton ‘skepticism’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Deandre-Aytonreacts-after-helping-secure-a-121-119-overtime-win-against-the-Phoenix-Suns-at-Moda-Center.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Legendary Lakers big man responds to Deandre Ayton ‘skepticism’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-06T10:56:07-07:00">July 6th, 10:56am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-06T10:56:07-07:00">July 6th, 10:56am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/colinloughran">Colin Loughran</a>Colin Loughran is a NYC-based Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He has spent several years covering sports and has worked for outlets such as the New York Post, AP Radio, and FanSided. Colin is also a three-time NYSBA award winner and a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-1-sneaky-reason-deandre-ayton-signing">Los Angeles Lakers recently signed center Deandre Ayton</a> to a two-year deal, and while some might be skeptical, one former big man is confident that the move will pan out.</p><p>Former Lakers center Mychal Thompson <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-laker-legend-mychal-thompson-calls-deandre-ayton-all-star-talent-says-underachieving-career-exclusive" rel="noopener">recently commented on the signing</a>  and showed support for the Arizona product, who has ruffled some feathers during his time in the association.</p><p>“He’s an All-Star talent, but he has to do it over an 82-game schedule and do it consistently,” Thompson told Sportskeeda. “So I don’t blame people for being a little bit skeptical about him. But I have faith in him. I know he’s going to prove to everybody how good he is.”</p><p>Thompson played 12 NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Lakers. He is a two-time champion who averaged 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds across his career.</p><p>Further, Thompson earned his two rings with one of the most offensively dynamic teams in NBA history. Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper, James Worthy, and others helped form a versatile unit that could score in more ways than one with the Lakers.</p><p>Thompson sees the potential for elite post play next season. Specifically, the former All-Rookie selection predicted that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-how-luka-doncic-impacted-deandre-aytons-la-free-agency-decision">Ayton would mesh well with Luka Doncic.</a> Doncic is partially known for his passing ability, and a seven-footer such as Ayton could benefit from this kind of teammate.</p><p>“I think it’s a great move. He’s the perfect center for the Lakers. He’s the perfect partner for Luka with the high screen and roll, and the high lobs and throwing it into the post,” Mychal Thompson said. “That’s what I like about D.A. – he’s not just a screen-and-roll center. You can throw the ball into the post, and he can score with his back to the basket. He has top-10 center skills. I think he’s going to be much more motivated to show his skills and all-around ability more consistently now that he’s with the Lakers.”</p><p>Ayton will enter a new chapter of his career once training camp begins, and there is at least one NBA alum who believes it will be a breath of fresh air.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Legendary Lakers big man responds to Deandre Ayton ‘skepticism’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-1-sneaky-reason-deandre-ayton-signing');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers rumors: 1 sneaky reason behind Deandre Ayton signing');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-news-DeAndre-Ayton-issues-strong-six-word-message-to-Los-Angeles.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Lakers rumors: 1 sneaky reason behind Deandre Ayton signing</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-06T08:51:03-07:00">July 6th, 8:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-06T08:51:03-07:00">July 6th, 8:51am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In some ways, Los Angeles Lakers guard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-how-luka-doncic-impacted-deandre-aytons-la-free-agency-decision">Luka Doncic impacted Deandre Ayton’s decision to sign</a> with the Lakers as a free agent this summer. The history between Doncic and Ayton dates back to their 2018 NBA Draft. They also nearly teamed up with Doncic was with the Dallas Mavericks, and now, they join forces alongside All-Star LeBron James in Los Angeles.</p><p>Ahead of making the Ayton and Doncic pairing with the Lakers official, <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-lots-of-fresh-nba-free" rel="noopener">the history between these two</a> hasn’t gone unnoticed, per NBA insider Marc Stein.</p><p>“Ayton and Luka Dončić have been pals since they were selected No. 1 overall and No. 3, respectively, in the 2018 NBA Draft,” Stein wrote. “The prospect of the pair becoming teammates first materialized five years later when the Mavericks entered into advanced trade talks with Phoenix to acquire Ayton in conjunction with the 2023 NBA Draft. Yet those talks ultimately collapsed.</p><p>“Only now, two years on, will Ayton and Dončić officially become teammates later Sunday. The Bahamian big man asked the Trail Blazers to buy out the final season of his contract and he committed Wednesday to teaming up with the Slovenian star after clearing waivers,”  Stein concluded.</p><p>Ayton and Doncic also share the same agent.</p><p>“The players share an agent — WME Sports’ head of basketball Bill Duffy — and were motivated to team up given the Lakers’ well-chronicled need for a front-line center,” Stein adds. “Ayton is said to have had another advocate within the Lakers’ ranks recommending that L.A. sign him: Former Blazers-turned-Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks.”</p><p>All eyes will be on Los Angeles in 2025-26. While one analyst views <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-news-kendrick-perkins-sends-warning-deandre-ayton-signing">Ayton’s tenure with the Lakers as his last chance</a> to compete for a championship, others see a fruitful union for the seven-year center.</p><h2><b>How Luka Doncic impacted Deandre Ayton’s Lakers decision</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Los-Angeles-Lakers-center-Deandre-Ayton.jpg"><figcaption>Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Veteran center Deandre Ayton decided joining the Lakers was the best decision for his career. The opportunity to join one of the NBA’s best playmakers and rising stars in Luka Doncic wasn’t lost on Ayton. While the rest of the NBA world awaits to see how things pan out next season, Ayton did what was best for himself at this stage of his career, per HoopsHype’s Michael Sotto.</p><p>“Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Doncic, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes,” Scotto wrote.</p><p>With everything considered, one can’t fault the Lakers for heading in this direction, signing arguably the best center available in free agency.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
14.4	10.2	1.6	1.0	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
14.4	10.2	1.6	1.0	0.8

Deandre Ayton news

Deandre
Ayton news