Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.

The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract last weekend, and he has agreed to join Doncic and LeBron James on a one-year deal with a player option for 2026-27. He will be paid more than $25 million by the Blazers while playing for the Lakers in the upcoming season.

Ayton’s arrival fills the Lakers’ most glaring offseason need. He will provide a lob target for James and Doncic while adding the defensive size in the middle that they have missed since trading Anthony Davis to Dallas for Doncic.

Grizzlies’ Jackson Jr. has surgery on toe >> Memphis Grizzlies All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. is recovering from surgery for a turf toe injury and will be re-evaluated in about 12 weeks.

The team announced that Jackson’s surgery was complete, coming a day after saying the 25-year-old would need a procedure after hurting his right foot while participating in offseason basketball activities.

Memphis said Jackson is expected to recover fully.

The 6-foot-10 Jackson, a first-round draft pick in 2018, earned his second All-Star selection last season, when he averaged 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Mavericks sign No. 1 pick to rookie contract >> The Dallas Mavericks have signed No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg to his four-year rookie contract.

The team didn’t disclose details in announcing the deal. The total value of the contract for the top pick on the 2025-26 rookie wage scale is in the range of $62.7 million, with a first-year salary of about $13.8 million, according to Spotrac. Those numbers can fluctuate slightly.

There are team options in the third and fourth seasons of rookie deals.

Golf

Woodland chosen as final Assistant coach at Ryder Cup >> Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland will make his first Ryder Cup appearance this year, announced as the fifth and final assistant to U.S. captain Keegan Bradley for the matches at Bethpage Black.

Woodland joins Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner and Webb Simpson as U.S. assistants when the Americans try to win back the cup from Europe on Sept. 26-28.

The assistants could take on extra significance this year as Bradley decides whether to be the first playing captain since 1963. Bradley won the Travelers Championship two weeks ago, giving him more wins in the last year than any American except Scottie Scheffler.

NHL

Ehlers remains unsigned through day 2 of free agency >> Nikolaj Ehlers could choose his destination soon after letting the start of NHL free agency pass without signing a contract.

Ehlers became one of the rare top players available not to sign on the first day of free agency, opting instead to sit back and consider his options. Carolina, Tampa Bay and Washington were considered among the teams interested in pursuing the 29-year-old from Denmark who played his first nine seasons with Winnipeg.

Soccer

Chelsea signs Pedro >> Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton to continue the Premier League club’s lavish spending under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

The Brazil forward cost a reported 60 million pounds ($82 million) and has signed a contract through to 2033.

He has joined up with Chelsea’s squad at the Club World Cup in the United States and is eligible to play in Friday’s quarterfinal against Palmeiras.