LA Lakers predicted starting lineup and depth chart after Deandre Ayton’s arrival shakes up rotation

The LA Lakers signed center Deandre Ayton on Wednesday. The team lost forward Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, but signed Jake LaRavia. Rob Pelinka and Co. were also able to retain key players from last season's campaign.

Jaxson Hayes, who started 35 games at center last season, is an unrestricted free agent. Finney-Smith, whom the Lakers acquired in December as part of the D'Angelo Russell trade, signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets.

Here is the Lakers' updated starting lineup and depth chart after the acquisition of Ayton.

Point Guard	Luka Doncic	Gabe Vincent	Bronny James
Shooting Guard	Austin Reaves	Dalton Knecht	Shake Milton
Small Forward	Rui Hachimura	Jake LaRavia	Jordan Goodwin
Power Forward	LeBron James	Jarred Vanderbilt
Center	Deandre Ayton	Maxi Kleber	Trey Jemison

Stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic will lead the team, alongside mainstays Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. Ayton slots into the center position, while LaRavia will come off the bench as a replacement for Finney-Smith. Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht will also get spot minutes off the bench.

Pending other offseason moves, ESPN's Bobby Marks said that the Lakers have 11 players on their roster right now, with non-guaranteed and partial contracts with guards Jordan Goodwin and Shake Milton. Forward Trey Jemison is on a two-way contract.

LA still hasn't decided on bringing back its free agents, Jaxson Hayes, Alex Len, Markieff Morris and Christian Koloko.

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What does Deandre Ayton's contract look like?

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Deandre Ayton's buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers resulted in the center forfeiting $10 million of the final year of his contract, worth $35.6 million.

Ayton will receive the remaining amount of the LA Lakers' mid-level exception valued at around $8.3 million after the Jake LaRavia signing. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million contract and will earn $5.8 million in the upcoming year.

According to Siegel, Ayton's $8.3 million with the Lakers, in addition to the $25.6 million from the Trail Blazers, will bring his earnings to around $34 million next season.

Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds on 56.6% shooting in 40 games last season.

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Lakers could still add depth via their $5.1M exception

After the Deandre Ayton signing, ESPN's Bobby Marks said the LA Lakers are $5.6 million below the first apron and still have their $5.1 million bi-annual exception to offer to free agents.

One name linked to the team is veteran center Al Horford. The one-time NBA champion is an unrestricted free agent, and at age 39, he is looking for a team with championship aspirations.

On Wednesday, NBA insider Brian Windhorst said on "NBA Today" that if Horford continues playing and does not retire, he would likely be playing on the West Coast with either the Lakers or the Golden State Warriors.

Several other pundits have also reported on the Lakers' interest in the 18-year NBA veteran. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto said LA is one of the teams vying for Horford's services, while The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick wrote that the big man is in "serious consideration" of the Lakers.