Deandre Ayton Shares 6-Word Reaction to Teaming Up With Luka Doncic

Deandre Ayton Shares 6-Word Reaction to Teaming Up With Luka Doncic originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The NBA offseason has been full of big moves all around the league, and the Los Angeles Lakers were able to cash in on recruiting a much-needed center who can provide reliable production.

Los Angeles was able to agree on terms with Deandre Ayton after he was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers on the night before free agency began.

Portland was ready to commit to their No. 7 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, Donovan Clingan, and Ayton was able to join a team that has the potential to contend for a championship.

After finalizing a two-year deal with the Lakers, Deandre Ayton was able to speak to the press for the first time.

When asked about his opportunity to team up with fellow 2018 draft pick Luka Doncic, Ayton responded by saying, "It feels like a video game," according to NBA insider Mark Medina.

Deandre Ayton on getting to team up with Luka Doncic: "It feels like a video game."

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 8, 2025

When Deandre Ayton went to the Trail Blazers front office with a request to get bought out, he had his mindset on joining a championship-contending team.

Now, he will be able to join a team that has All-Star talent for the first time since getting traded from the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 2023-24 season.

He will join the Los Angeles Lakers team that includes top players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves as they try to win Los Angeles their first championship since 2020.

Since getting drafted with the first overall pick in 2018, Ayton has played in eight straight seasons where he's averaged a double-double.

He's the first player to do so for seven straight seasons since Dwight Howard did it from 2004 to 2011.

The Los Angeles Lakers will continue to find more depth on their roster. After signing Jake LaRavia to a two-year deal and bringing back Jaxson Hayes on a one-year deal, LA was able to also find their starting center for the future.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.