After struggling with center depth last season, the Los Angeles Lakers have made acquiring a reliable veteran center their top offseason priority. Rumors initially pointed toward Portland Trail Blazers big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton recently entered free agency after a surprising buyout.
However, despite Ayton’s availability, NBA insider Anthony Irwin shared a different picture. Irwin revealed that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is reportedly fixated on the Milwaukee Bucks veteran center Brook Lopez.
“A late development in this run-up to Lopez potentially heading back to Los Angeles was Deandre Ayton getting surprisingly bought out by Portland. While Rob Pelinka likes to bet on draft pedigree and Ayton’s skill set meshes well as a lob threat for Luka Doncic, sources say the Lakers remained zeroed in on Lopez,” Irwin reported.
Rob Pelinka remains ‘zeroed in’ on Brook Lopez, despite Deandre Ayton becoming a free agent, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2025
“A late development in this run-up to Lopez potentially heading back to Los Angeles was Deandre Ayton getting surprisingly bought out by Portland. While Rob Pelinka… pic.twitter.com/xypXVE9hZ6
One possible reason behind the Lakers’ preference for Lopez may lie in the difference in availability. Ayton has struggled with injuries and played just 40 games last season for the Blazers. In contrast, Lopez appeared in 80 games with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lakers May Still Land Deandre Ayton, Per Chris Haynes’ Report
Despite reports pointing to Lopez, NBA insider Chris Haynes provided a different perspective. Haynes stated that Ayton’s move to Los Angeles remains firmly on the table.
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“That is a strong possibility. Strong possibility. If they’re able to land this, which again, sources have told me this is a strong possibility, you will pair him up with Luka Doncic, who was in his draft class,” Haynes said.
DEVELOPING: Deandre Ayton joining the Lakers is a “strong possibility”, per @ChrisBHaynes 👀 pic.twitter.com/X2joExGx11
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 30, 2025
Following another disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Lakers are under pressure to restructure their roster. With veterans LeBron James and Luka Doncic already in place and Cooper Flagg newly added, the decision on which center to pair with them could significantly impact the team’s performance. Whether it’s Lopez or Ayton, the Lakers are expected to make their move soon.
