The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed a center this offseason. And after Brook Lopez and Myles Turner went elsewhere, signing the recently bought-out Deandre Ayton felt like the only way to salvage an otherwise quiet offseason.

Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal could not yet be announced between the Lakers and Ayton,

Deandre Ayton helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals. He was traded to the Trail Blazers and now is joining the Lakers.