On Tuesday afternoon in El Segundo, the newest Lakers were introduced at the UCLA Health Training Center, as Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia addressed reporters for the first time.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall draft pick in new teammate Luka Doncic’s 2018 class, has started 391 of his 398 career games with Phoenix (2018-23) and Portland (2023-25), towards averages of 16.4 points on 59.0% FG’s, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
The 26-year-old 7-footer said it wasn’t a difficult decision to join the Lakers.
“The teams that me and my agents evaluated during that time span, I feel that the Lakers was the best fit,” he said. “Being around the two best playmakers in the league, and just Laker Nation, having the fan base behind them (like) I’ve never seen before and just to be a part of it, knowing the winning legacy that this organization has. I know the expectations. I know that winning means a lot here.”
Indeed, he’s very excited about the prospect of playing alongside Doncic and LeBron.
“They both average about nine assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates,” he explained. “They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor. Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that would be big for me. Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the (NBA) Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me that’s leading to wins.”
Ayton, a native of Nassua, Bahamas, is one of only four NBA players since he came into the league to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds each year, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert and Nikola Vucevic.
“Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason, and we believe Deandre is an amazing solution to that objective and is an ideal player to add to our current core,” said Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka in the team’s press release. “Deandre’s size, mobility and athleticism will allow both paint scoring and paint protection. Deandre’s playoff experience as a starter on an NBA Finals team also aligns well with our ultimate Lakers championship aspirations.”
Ayton was named to the All-Rookie First Team after one season at the University of Arizona, where he was the Pac-12 Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.
Asked if he’s heard criticism of his play over the past few years, he said it’s certainly motivated him.
“Most definitely,” he acknowledged. “It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the Purple and Gold. And it’s a platform that I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”
Ayton’s already had conversations with Pelinka and JJ Redick about the coming season, and is eager to show that he knows where to best focus his energy.
“Mainly just protecting that rim as much as possible, closing out possessions and really leading just these things to buckets,” he said. “Every pick-and-roll I set is a strong screen. When I roll to the rim, I’m rolling to the rim aggressively. Just really emphasizing the thing that the team wants. That’s my role in just really playing hard at it.”
He can’t wait to get going.
“This feels like a video game,” Ayton concluded. “Like somebody set it up. But honestly, this is an opportunity that I won’t take for granted. Luka is a once-in-a-generation player and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped and I’m finally glad to be on his side when he’s doing all of that. And I’m just truly excited. I’m a student of the game and I love to play with a passion. And the love I have received and I’ve not even thrown on a jersey, I can only show you guys my appreciation.”
The 23-year-old LaRavia, meanwhile, was the 19th pick in the 2022 Draft, and appeared in 136 career games with six starts for Memphis (2022-25) and Sacramento (2024-25), towards averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 boards and 1.7 assists in 18.9 minutes.
“Jake is a high IQ two-way player with ideal skills for a JJ Redick basketball system,” said Pelinka. “He’s a disruptive defender who uses his size and physicality to create turnovers. Offensively, he can score at all three levels and has a knack for creating space for himself and his teammates. Being just 23 years old, we think Jake has significant basketball upside, which will be honed nicely in our Lakers basketball development program.”
LaRavia is a career 37.1% shooter from distance, including a career-best 42.3% clip from 3-point range during the 2024-25 season, hitting multiple treys in 14 games. He said he’s always considered himself an excellent shooter, but wants to show that he can remain as efficient at a higher volume. But he does more than just shoot.
“I play hard, I give it my all every night,” LaRavia said when asked to describe how he plays. “Whether I’m making shots or missing shots, the one thing I can control every game is bringing that energy off the bench. I’ve always been that type of player that doesn’t give up on plays. I just love basketball. I bring a different type of energy to the game. Diving on loose balls, making the (extra effort) plays, that’s something I bring every night.”
LaRavia spoke to his new coach shortly after he signed about his potential role with the team, and came away from the conversation excited to get started.
“I’m pretty versatile on both sides of the ball,” he explained. “Being able to space the floor, playing off guys like LeBron (James), Luka (Doncic) and Austin (Reaves). And then defensively just being able to take on that toughest matchup is something that I’ve been growing on as my years have gone on. But I think I’ll fit right in as that 3 and D connector type player on this team. I’m excited to grow and develop here.”
LaRavia was born in Pasadena, where his dad grew up, which was meaningful when he learned that his son was going to be a Laker.
“My dad is super excited,” LaRavia concluded. “He grew up out here; Pasadena is where me and all my brothers were born. My dad was a big fan of Magic growing up, so when he got the news, he was on the verge of tears. Don’t tell him I said that.”
