Lakers sign Deandre Ayton, bring back Jaxson Hayes

The Los Angeles Lakers had one goal in mind heading into the NBA offseason, and that was to upgrade the center position. It appears the storied franchise has done just that by bringing in former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers and Ayton have agreed to a two-year deal.

Free agent center Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN on Wednesday night.

The deal includes a player option, sources said.

Ayton gives the Lakers a much more dependable player in many different areas at the center position, even though he hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being the top pick in the draft.

He is the first player to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first seven NBA seasons since Dwight Howard, whose career began in 2004-05. Ayton also is one of four players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the past seven seasons, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert and Nikola Vucevic.

Along with signing Ayton to be the team’s new starting center moving forward, the Lakers have brought back their starting center from last season. Jaxson Hayes and the Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal, via Charania.

Free agent center Jaxson Hayes agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN.

The addition of Ayton and the return of Hayes are likely a step in the right direction for the Lakers, who have otherwise been a disappointment during the free agency process so far.