Sources: Ayton opts in to Lakers; Smart declines

Dave McMenaminJun 29, 2026, 11:23 AM ET

Close

Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.

Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton is opting into his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, while Marcus Smart is declining his $5.4 million option, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Ayton gave up $10 million of his $35.6 million contract to reach a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers last summer in hopes of reestablishing his value with a high-profile starting role on the Lakers.

The former No. 1 pick signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal with L.A., with a player option on the second season. Ayton averaged 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting and 8.0 rebounds per game in the regular season and 10.0 points and 9.6 rebounds in the playoffs -- including a strong showing to close out the Houston Rockets in the first round.

Ayton, who turns 28 this summer, spent his first five seasons with the Phoenix Suns followed by two in Portland before joining the Lakers last offseason.

Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, returned to form with the Lakers, leading the team in plus-minus with L.A. outscoring its opponents by 256 points in the minutes he was on the floor last season.

The 32-year-old guard was recruited to the Lakers by Luka Doncic after two lackluster seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Smart averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals while starting 54 of the 62 games he played in for Los Angeles.