Prior to Ayton's surprising availability, pickings looked fairly slim for the Lakers on the center market. They had previously tried to trade for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler, but the two sides couldn't agree to a deal.

The Los Angeles Lakers are signing veteran forward Deandre Ayton to a one-year, $34 million deal, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. NBA insider Marc Stein was the first to report on Wednesday that rival executives expected Ayton to sign with the Lakers upon formally clearing waivers at 5 p.m. ET.

Veteran center Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers following his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.