The Los Angeles Lakers adding what many believe to be the key piece their 2024 roster was missing to make an NBA Finals run when they signed 7-foot center DeAndre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal on Wednesday.

Conversely, while James' future in L.A. still remains up in the air, it's expected that Doncic will re-sign with the team, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2, or he can sign a three-year, $165 million extension with a 2028 player option.

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers addressed their biggest offseason need by signing a rim-protecting, athletic center — and they got exactly that in former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. Ayton agreed to a two-year,