God-given opportunity! The Lakers choose one of two inside reinforcements! The Trail Blazers buy out Ayton, the Magic buy out Wagner

On June 30, two new news came from the NBA, that is, the Trail Blazers bought out Ayton's contract and the Magic also bought out the Big Wagner's contract. The two became completely free agents one after another and will test the free market.

Ayton was traded to the Trail Blazers in 2023. In his career, he averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 56.9%, and averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1 block per game this season, with a shooting percentage of 56.6%.

Wagner averaged 9.2 points, 4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in his career, and averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game this season. All data set a career high, with three-point shooting percentage as high as 36.0%!

This is undoubtedly good news for the Lakers who are short of inside. Compared to signing inside players from other teams through trades, it is relatively easier to sign contracts directly from the free market. As long as you offer a good salary quote, you can sign Ayton or Wagner to supplement your inside strength.

In terms of salary level, Ayton's contract was bought out was $35.55 million, and Wagner's contract was $11 million. The salary difference between the two is three times more. For the Lakers, the contract pressure of more than 10 million is still smaller. Compared with the technical characteristics of the two, Ayton's frame protection is good but the projection is poor. Big Wagner's projection is OK, but the frame protection is not as good as the former.

For Pelinka, if she wants to pursue Ayton, she has to accept his salary of 30 million. If she wants to pursue Wagner, she needs to compete with the Magic, because there is news that the Magic also plans to re-sign Wagner with a more flexible contract. In short, no matter who the Lakers signs the above two in the end, it will greatly improve the team's inside strength.