According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, after Deandre Ayton has cleared waivers Wednesday afternoon, the former number one overall pick has signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The official terms of the deal is $16.6 million over two years, his starting salary is $8.1 million, and he has a player option attached to the deal for the second year.

Officially, he will be making $34 million this upcoming season; this is due to the buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers and him getting $24 million from the team.

Los Angeles has been looking for an upgrade at center since last season’s trade deadline, as they finally found the player that fits both Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Doncic is reportedly “excited” to be playing with Ayton.

Per Shams, multiple teams like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers were interested in signing the 26-year-old.

Last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are bracing for impact of the reality that Dorian Finney-Smith will no longer be a member of their organization. He is most likely to sign with the Houston Rockets.

There is league-wide anticipation of Finney-Smith being lured away from Los Angeles to come to Houston to play for the Rockets. They are expected to give the defensive-minded player a four-year deal to persuade him.

Finney-Smith declined his $15.4 million player option with the Lakers to test free agency. He’s seen as the perfect fit for Houston, as the Rockets would allow him to come off the bench and be a productive tool for their second unit.

The Rockets have been looking to lock down their front court with a 3-and-D veteran. Free agency begins Monday at 6 PM EST.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers were informed by Austin Reaves that he is not signing their proposed extension offer for $90 million. He will bet on himself this season to prove he’s worth more – whether that’s from the Lakers or another organization.

Reaves is in the final year of his contract, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent for next year’s offseason. The third option for Los Angeles is close to finishing his four-year, $54 million contract he signed back in 2023.

Next offseason, competing with the rest of the league, the Lakers can offer him a max of $246.7 million over five years. This has been confirmed by ESPN.

Despite having the opportunity to test himself out in free agency next offseason, Reaves has said he wants to remain loyal to the team that gave him a shot.

“I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf,” Reaves told K8 News. “And obviously the Lakers are the best organization in basketball.”