Blazers gift Lakers their most controversial trade option yet

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a well-documented pursuit of a starting-caliber center. It's a recurring rumor in Los Angeles, as the franchise has been attempting to add a big it can rely on for seasons on end.

In one of the most shocking developments in recent NBA Draft history, the Portland Trail Blazers gifted the Lakers an unlikely trade target: Deandre Ayton.

Portland selected center Hansen Yang at No. 16 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a surprising decision that saw the franchise invest in a player whom Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports has compared to Nikola Vucevic.

It's unclear how immediate Yang's potential is as far as playing meaningful NBA minutes is concerned, but all signs seem to point toward Ayton becoming a tradable asset.

In that scenario, it's fair to presume that Los Angeles will at least kick the tires on a trade for Ayton. That in no way confirms that a deal will get done, but the Lakers must exhaust every resource and at least learn what the opportunity cost would be.

If that proves to be the case, then one can't help but ponder whether or not this controversial potential trade option would be worth the investment.

Deandre Ayton may have just been made available for Lakers trade

Ayton is one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA. His talent level is undeniable, but many have questioned the manner in which he applies his abilities in regard to the impact they have on winning and the consistency he's able to provide.

Ayton is still just 26 years of age, however, which offers fair reason to question if he still has untapped potential that the right team can explore.

The appeal of that type of gamble is enhanced by the fact that Ayton is entering the final season of his current contract. He's owed a hefty $35,550,814 for the 2025-26 season, and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

If ever there was a time to take a chance on Ayton fitting alongside fellow 2018 first-round draft pick Luka Doncic, it would be now.

The hurdles in any deal for Ayton begin with the fact that his contract would require the Lakers to part with considerable assets to acquire him. It could be achieved from a financial perspective, however, with a package of Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent.

From there, it would be a matter of deciding how much, if any, draft compensation could be justified in exchange for Ayton.

Ayton's 2024-25 numbers look solid at 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 offensive boards, 1.6 assists, 1.0 block, and 0.8 steals per game. The question he's consistently faced, however, is whether or not he can reach a second gear and elevate his quality play to a level that justifies his contract.

The fit with Doncic would be undoubtedly intriguing, but the Lakers must seriously consider the risks involved in trading for Ayton—no matter the appeal.