The 26-year-old 7-footer averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season with Portland but didn’t play after the All-Star break because of a calf injury.

That center is none other than former top pick Deandre Ayton, who will now helm the middle for the Lakers, joining LeBron James and Ayton's fellow 2018 draft selection Luka Dončić. The deal is for two years, with Ayton having a player option for 2026-27.

NBA free agency is officially underway. Players were legally allowed to begin negotiating with teams across the league as of Monday evening, and there will be a flurry of activity this week. The most surprising free agency news to date happened Tuesday morning as the Bucks signed big man Myles Turner,