The Portland Trail Blazers and Deandre Ayton agreed to a buyout at the beginning of the offseason, paving the way for him to become a free agent. Jason Quick of The Athletic reported that the Trail Blazers no longer wanted to deal with Ayton's tardiness, missed appointments, and tantrums (subscription required). What team would?
The Lakers. Los Angeles needed a center and jumped on the opportunity to bring the big man to Hollywood. Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal (the second season is an $8.1 million player option).
He wanted to play for a winning team, and he got his wish.