Lakers' Rob Pelinka Makes His Thoughts On Deandre Ayton Very Clear originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the 2024-25 NBA season ended, it was clear the Los Angeles Lakers needed help in the paint. The team’s top priority heading into the offseason was finding a reliable big man who could anchor the front court on both ends of the floor.

In Los Angeles, the No. 22 jersey was retired in Nov. 1983 to honor Lakers legend Elgin Baylor, who ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in nearly every major category and once dropped 71 points in a single game—a franchise record at the time.

Scott Brooks, a Lakers assistant coach who was an assistant with the Trail Blazers when Deandre Ayton was there, advocated for L.A. to sign Ayton.