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54 minutes ago
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The Los Angeles Lakers have a few different avenues to replace Deandre Ayton this summer after a less-than-spectacular 2025-26 season with the franchise.
If Ayton opts into his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign, the Lakers could use his contract to help them land a frontcourt contributor that would be a clear upgrade over the former No. 1 overall pick.
If Ayton opts out of his player option and chases a more lucrative deal in free agency, the Lakers could use a few of their most valuable trade assets to help them land a more viable center option or sign a free agent big man looking for a new opportunity.
Interestingly, Los Angeles could also find an intriguing Ayton replacement through the upcoming NBA Draft. According to the College Sports Company’s Vince Wolfram, the Lakers are pursuing a former Villanova double-double machine who the organization could select in the first round.
"Add the Los Angeles Lakers to the list of NBA pre-draft workouts for Villanova big man Duke Brennan," The College Sports Company's Vince Wolfram reported last Sunday.
"Brennan is scheduled to go through an official workout with LAL on Tuesday.'
Brennan, who recorded 13 double-doubles with the Wildcats this past season. While not a perimeter shooting threat/stretch four or a dominant interior defender, Brennan is a powerful screener who has no issue finishing in traffic and taking his time in back-to-the-basket situations in the low post.
While many believe the Lakers will use their lone draft pick (No. 25 overall) to draft versatile former North Carolina center Henri Veesaar, Los Angeles could find themselves adding Brennan to their roster via an undrafted free agent signing.
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