"Luka gonna turn him into prime Shaq": Lakers fans sky high as Rob Pelinka nabs Deandre Ayton to fortify championship aspirations

LA Lakers fans were ecstatic about the acquisition of center Deandre Ayton, who reportedly signed a two-year contract with the team.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Ayton has agreed to a deal with the Lakers. On Sunday, Ayton and his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, reached a buyout agreement that made the 7-foot center a free agent.

One fan liked Ayton’s pairing with Luka Doncic, even claiming that Ayton could be similar to Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal.

MFFL

@Mavs_FFL

LINK

Luka gonna turn him into prime Shaq

Here are other fan reactions:

Barry

@BarryOnHere

LINK

This is basically the same as signing prime Shaq. How much help does LeBron need?

LukaShow

@LukaShow_77

LINK

LUKA RING ON THE WAY 🏆

𝙉𝘼𝙅

@najeeadams_ ·

LINK

“Ayton isn’t even good”

B***H WE HAD JAXSON HAYES STARTING AT CENTER LAST YEAR HE’S GOOD ENOUGH

Several others predicted the Lakers would contend for the title next season.

Lakers All Day Everyday

@LADEig

LINK

WE WINNING IT ALL 🤑🤑🤑

Cam Wilder

@camwilderr

LINK

LAKERS ARE BACK

Ayton's agents, Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (WME Sports), finalized the deal with Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka. According to Charania, Ayton will reportedly earn $34 million next season and has a player option for the second year.

In 40 games with Portland last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds on 56.6% shooting.

---

Veteran center is also linked to the Lakers

Rob Pelinka and Co. might still not be finished retooling the Lakers. One name that has been floated is 18-year NBA veteran Al Horford.

On Wednesday's "ESPN Today," NBA insider Brian Windhorst said the Lakers are one of Horford’s possible destinations next season, along with the Golden State Warriors.

“He’s valued by everybody in the league,” Windhorst said. “He has lots of different options, including retirement, but if he decides to indeed continue his career, the Golden State Warriors have been very aggressive in trying to bring him in… Obviously, the Lakers are badly in need of a center, so they have been involved with that too.

"So, I would expect there’s a decent chance, if he continues his career, it’s out here on the West Coast, either with Golden State or L.A.”

Several reports from The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick and HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto have also indicated the Lakers’ interest in Horford.

While the Lakers already have their starting center in Ayton, Horford brings a different skill set as a stretch five and has accepted a bench role with the Boston Celtics in the previous two seasons. The one-time NBA champion can play alongside Ayton in double-big lineups and serve as an occasional starter.