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.

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.

Chris Haynes first reported the news. Over the weekend, the Blazers and Ayton agreed to a buyout of the final year of his contract worth $35.5 million over the weekend. The Blazers will pay $25 million of his contract after he agreed to give up $10 million in order to become a free agent.