Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent after negotiating a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ayton can give Luka Dončić the instant lob threat that he has craved ever since the Lakers acquired him in February. Ayton can give the Lakers easy buckets partly because LeBron James prides himself on making the right pass. Ayton can give the Lakers the steady rim protection they lacked in the playoffs after trading Anthony Davis.

Ayton has a chance to be the long-term center option the Lakers have badly needed. However, there are questions about his ability to turn his career around and finally live up to the hype that he received when he originally came into the NBA.