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Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE   Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

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2025-26 Los Angeles Lakers Media Day

TJ Manotoc

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759306056231AFP__20250930__2237920486__v1__MidRes__202526LosAngelesLakersMediaDay.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFPDeandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP"/>Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP</div>After falling short of their championship aspirations last season despite one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers made some interesting moves in the offseason to bolster their squad.The Lakers landed Luka Dončić in a stunning trade that sent former franchise big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. However, they still bowed out of the playoffs in the first round, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.In the offseason, the Lakers brought in veteran center DeAndre Ayton to man the middle and improve their rim protection, as well as be a pick-and-roll partner for Dončić and LeBron James. They also added former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, and a sharpshooter in Jake LaRavia.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/30/nba-lebron-relishing-23rd-season-as-retirement-draws-near-1731">READ: LeBron relishing 23rd season as retirement draws near</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/26/lakers-extend-head-coach-redick-contract-1310">READ: Lakers extend head coach Redick contract</a></div>&quot;I&#x27;m truly excited to be here. Everything counts and the pressure for this team that wants to win the championship,&quot; said Ayton, who had made it to the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021.&quot;Honestly, pressure is a privilege, and you know, I&#x27;m in the right place to be, where you know everything counts, and the fans want us to win, and you know I&#x27;m here to just add to that legacy,&quot; he added.Smart, for his part, believes that he has flown under the radar in the last couple of years due to injuries, and is eager to remind fans of what he is capable of.&quot;I’m very excited to be back on the big stage. These last two years for me, it&#x27;s been rough, you know, from team to team, and then injuries, you know, compelled me from playing a lot of those a lot of the time. So really, this summer was just, you know, trying to get as healthy as I can,&quot; he explained.&quot;It&#x27;s definitely been a tough road, you know, but being here, the comfort that I have, the way that this organization, the teammates, have embraced me, is definitely going to help them,&quot; he added.LaRavia is expected to add floor spacing and shooting to the Lakers&#x27; roster, after making 42.3% of his three-pointers last season. Los Angeles is also bringing back Jared Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, and Gabe Vincent.In the offseason, they also extended the contract of head coach JJ Redick for another five years.The Lakers will see action for the first time in the preseason on October 3 against the Phoenix Suns. -- report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

After falling short of their championship aspirations last season despite one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers made some interesting moves in the offseason to bolster their squad.

After falling short of their championship aspirations last season despite one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers made some interesting moves in the offseason to bolster their squad.

NBA: Ayton, Smart ready to help Lakers compete for a championship

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NBA: Ayton, Smart ready to help Lakers compete for a championship

TJ Manotoc

Published Oct 01, 2025 04:09 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 02, 2025 11:45 AM PHT

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Marcus Smart

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