DeAndre Ayton has become the talk of the town after finalizing a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 26-year-old center, who’s a former No. 1 pick, is now on the radar of many teams, especially the Los Angeles Lakers. By now, it’s no secret that the Purple & Gold’s priority this summer is to land a big man to complement their superstar Luka Doncic. LA has been linked to multiple names, but Ayton certainly stands out from the rest.
For obvious reasons, of course. The Portland center finished last season averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 games. That’s exactly the kind of players Rob Pelinka and Co. have been eyeing. With both parties showing mutual interest, it seems like a move for DeAndre Ayton might be over the horizon, and he’s recently sent a cryptic message to further increase the buzz around the move.
Deandre Ayton is rocking an LA Dodgers hat amid rumors of him joining the Lakers
(H/T @CourtsideBuzzX) pic.twitter.com/ho9gUwzkCw
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 1, 2025
Recently, Ayton, who’s enjoying a relaxing summer in Jamaica, posted a story on his Instagram where he’s seen landing from a private jet, wearing a summer outfit. However, neither the private jet nor the location was what the Lakers Nation paid attention to; it was Ayton’s cap that caught everyone’s eye. You see, the center was spotted wearing a LA Dodgers cap, which many fans linked with his rumors that join the Lakers. Is DeAndre Ayton teasing the Lakers supporters? Only time will tell.
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