NBA fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Deandre Ayton has officially committed to staying with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season, exercising his $8.1 million player option. The decision was hardly a shock, given Ayton's impressive performance on the court last season, where he outshone his current salary. The 25-year-old big man's future had been a topic of speculation since his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers last summer, where he reportedly gave up a significant portion of his $35.6 million contract. With Ayton set to return to the Lakers, fans are eagerly anticipating the 2026-27 season to see if he can continue to justify his spot on the roster and make a push for a championship.
The news of Deandre Ayton exercising his $8.1 player option for the 2026-27 season to stay with the Lakers wasn’t surprising. Even with him outplaying the $8.1 salary he made from the Lakers in 2025-26 (he gave up $10 million of his $35.6 million contract in his buyout with the Trail Blazers last summer before...
