India, July 3 -- Deandre Ayton is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN reported on Wednesday, citing sources. The free agent center will earn $34 million next season after his agents, Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports, reached the deal with Lakers president Rob Pelinka. The 26-year-old finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, the report added.

Ayton's decision is backed by his desire to play in a winning situation, as per ESPN. He will be joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the Lakers' starting five. Ayton and Doncic went Nos. 1 and 3, respectively, in the 2018 draft, and could guide the team to the playoffs after a series of flop seasons.

Acquired in a blockbuster trade for...