LA Laker starting center Deandre Ayton will accept his $8.1 million player option for 2026–27 and forego unrestricted free agency, a source told the California Post. 

Ayton had until Monday to make a decision on the option he had in his contract as part of the two-year, $16.2 million deal he signed with the Lakers last year. 

His decision was one of the biggest X-factors of the Lakers’ offseason considering the team’s desire to find a new starting center and Ayton’s impact on their cap space.

Ayton, the 2018 No. 1 draft pick who’ll turn 28 in July, averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds in a career-high 72 regular games.

He was instrumental to the Lakers’ first round playoff victory against the Rockets, averaging 11.8 points (60.4% shooting) and 10.8 rebounds in the six-game series.

But Ayton was also a polarizing player because of his inconsistent motor and his play style not fitting the archetype the Lakers need.