Deandre Ayton helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals. He was traded to the Trail Blazers and now is joining the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed a center this offseason. And after Brook Lopez and Myles Turner went elsewhere, signing the recently bought-out Deandre Ayton felt like the only way to salvage an otherwise quiet offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers are signing veteran forward Deandre Ayton to a one-year, $34 million deal, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. NBA insider Marc Stein was the first to report on Wednesday that rival executives expected Ayton to sign with the Lakers upon formally clearing waivers at 5 p.m. ET.