Deandre Ayton picks up $8.1M player option with Lakers

Laker starting center Deandre Ayton will accept his $8.1 million player option for 2026-27, foregoing unrestricted free agency. Ayton had until Monday to make a decision on the option he had in his contract as part of the two-year, $16.2 million deal he signed with the Lakers last year. His decision was one of the biggest X-factors of the Lakers’ offseason considering the team’s desire to find a new starting center and Ayton’s impact on their cap space.Ayton, the 2018 No.1 draft pick who’ll turn 28 in July, averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds in a career-high 72 regular games.He was instrumental to the Lakers’ first round playoff victory against the Rockets, averaging 11.8 points (60.4% shooting) and 10.8 rebounds in the six-game series.But Ayton was also a polarizing player because of his inconsistent motor and his playstyle not fitting the archetype the Lakers need. ...