The Los Angeles Lakers had a clear priority going into free agency: to find a rim-protecting, lob-threat center — and that’s exactly what they got last week, signing 26-year-old and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal.

The debut of Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg against Bronny James and the Lakers is shaping up to be the most expensive summer league ticket in 2 years.

Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Of course, that was the same draft Luka Doncic was selected at No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now, the two top 2018 picks will have a chance to team up and play together.

Essentially, the Lakers bet against themselves with that move, as other teams around the league now know how much they're willing to pay for their big man. They signed Deandre Ayton in free agency, but he's never been known for his interior defense and rim protection.

ESPN writer Tim Bontemps keeps it real about the Lakers "staying flat" this offseason as they look to contend for a championship.

The Lakers were a part of a league setting trade on Sunday. As part of the trade they added a great athletic wing in Arkansas' Adou Thiero.

Hayes developed into the Lakers' starting center last season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 72.2 percent from the field. More NBA: Lakers may reunite LeBron James with four-time NBA champion coach via monster trade to Knicks