With DeAndre Ayton’s signing, the Los Angeles Lakers are betting big that Luka Doncic chemistry with DeAndre Ayton will finally deliver an end to their championship drought. The high-stakes move brings Ayton to LA’s roster in hopes his strengths in the paint—paired with Doncic’s leadership—will fill the team’s long-standing void at center and potentially reshape their future.
Ayton Joins the Lakers: A Solution to a Persistent Center Deficit
The Lakers finalized their acquisition of DeAndre Ayton, putting to rest years of speculation about when LA would finally add size and tenacity at the five spot. The 7-footer arrives after inking a two-year, $16.6 million contract featuring a player option in the second year, and the team will pay Ayton $8.1 million for the 2025–26 season. This savvy cap move, utilizing what remained of the midlevel exception after signing Jake LaRavia, brings Ayton into a roster desperate for rebounding and defensive solidity.
Still, Ayton’s journey to Los Angeles isn’t without questions. Throughout his career, he’s been scrutinized over his intensity, ability to mesh within demanding locker rooms, and his durability during grueling playoff pushes. The pressure of playing under Hollywood’s lights is known to make or break reputations, and now Ayton must not only meet expectations on the court but bond with a lineup aiming for immediate results after several disappointing postseason runs.
Ayton’s Track Record: Dominance on the Boards, Expectations in LA
Despite any doubts, Ayton delivers undeniable production in his primary role. In his time with Portland—affectionately called “Rose City”—he averaged a robust 10.5 rebounds across 398 NBA games, totaling 4,167 boards, including stints where he was a consistent double-digit rebounder. That presence in the paint brings new hope to a Lakers defense that has often suffered from a lack of rim protection, especially when Anthony Davis is deployed outside the paint or off the court.
Alongside his rebounding prowess, Ayton has averaged 14.4 points on a strong 56.6% shooting rate, giving the Lakers a reliable inside scorer to complement their perimeter threats. If Ayton can stay healthy and engaged, his consistency could prove to be the x-factor this team desperately needs. Yet, observers remain unswayed by stats alone—chemistry and fit have been LA’s recurring downfall in recent years, a point of concern that persists even with Ayton’s arrival.
“He’s been a double digit rebounder his entire career. So there’s a baseline level there of rebounding has been a big part of the Lakers, I think lack of success defensively, and it’s been a struggle for them. It’s not been something they prioritize with a lot of their bigs outside of of course, Anthony Davis. And I think Ayton is going to plug that hole,”
—Buha.
The Luka Doncic Connection: Building a New On-Court Partnership
The intrigue around Luka Doncic chemistry with DeAndre Ayton goes beyond stats and transactions—it’s about personal bonds and building trust where it matters most. While many fans expected LeBron James to have the central player relationship with new arrivals, sources indicate that the true partnership to watch in LA is between Doncic and Ayton.
The connection between these two players dates back to the 2018 NBA draft, a pivotal year that saw Ayton go first overall and Doncic right behind at third. Though their on-court battles have been intense—facing each other in heated playoff encounters—their relationship has developed off the floor. Both athletes share representation through agent Bill Duffy, which sparked their initial interactions. Over the years, their mutual respect has deepened into genuine friendship, with their families connecting and Ayton respecting Doncic’s basketball intellect and drive.
“Couple notes talking to people around the situation that I wanted to share. I’ve heard that Luka and DeAndre have a good relationship dating back to the 2018 draft. Obviously they’re both taken at the top of that draft. They do share an agent in Bill Duffy and that is a mutual link there. But they’ve grown closer since 2018. There’s a mutual respect and admiration and genuine friendship there. Their families have met each other. And they obviously played against each other in the playoffs. But my understanding is that Luka signed off on this. Luka was excited about this,”
—Buha.
This budding alliance might be key for LA’s locker room dynamic, which has often struggled with cohesion even when talent was abundant. As Ayton acclimates to the Lakers, his relationship with Doncic could ease his transition, help him adjust to Los Angeles’ pressure-cooker atmosphere, and set the tone for a more unified, focused team effort.
What Ayton Brings: Filling Gaps and Changing LA’s Identity
It’s no secret the Lakers have often been defined by their big men—from the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis. Now, Ayton steps into those shoes, tasked with both rebounding dominance and supporting a superstar-driven system. On the defensive end, he has the potential to shore up LA’s struggles against skilled opposing centers, supporting Davis and allowing perimeter defenders like Doncic to gamble and create turnovers.
Offensively, Ayton’s adept scoring and efficient field goal percentage open up new options for the Lakers’ playbook. Handing him the ball down low or using him as a pick-and-roll partner for Doncic—who excels at reading defensive coverage—may give LA the inside-out balance necessary to compete at the highest levels. If the chemistry clicks, it could serve as the engine powering the Lakers back into serious title contention.
The Road Ahead: Hopes, Pressure, and the Search for a Title
The Lakers’ faithful have been craving a return to their “Showtime” glory, and all eyes are now on whether this bold frontcourt pairing delivers results. The stakes are enormous for DeAndre Ayton, who must prove durable and positive in the locker room, just as much as productive on the floor. For Luka Doncic, integrating a new co-star and embracing a leadership role represents another major step in his career with the franchise.
While only time will reveal if Luka Doncic chemistry with DeAndre Ayton will be the spark that finally ends the Lakers’ championship drought, the foundation is now set for one of the NBA’s most closely watched partnerships. Fans will be watching to see if this duo—backed by mutual respect, a shared agent, and years of competitive fire—can transform speculation into hardware as the new season unfolds.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Luka Doncic a billionaire?
A. Luka Doncic’s net worth is estimated to be $75 million in 2025, based on information from Celebrity Net Worth. Most of his wealth comes from the big contracts he has signed during his successful NBA career.
Q. What car does Luka Doncic drive?
A. The Brabus Rocket 1000 comes from the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance. This limited-edition car can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 2.6 seconds. Its highest speed is 316 km/h (196 mph).
Though Doncic is 25 years old and will make $43,031,940 during the 2024-25 season, he is careful with how he spends his money.