The Knicks could have paired Ayton with Karl-Anthony Towns in their frontcourt, with Mitchell Robinson serving as the club’s backup center. Instead, the team went in a different direction, and Ayton opted to join Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Los Angeles.

Former Suns and Blazers staffers react to the Lakers signing free agent center Deandre Ayton with conflicting views.

Deandre Ayton reportedly had a messy tenure that ultimately led to the Portland Trail Blazers buying out his contract, but his new squad could help put some of his past issues behind him.