Deandre Ayton and the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a buyout agreement and will become an unrestricted free agent. The Blazers acquired Ayton from the Phoenix Suns as part of the multi-team Damian Lillard trade in 2023.
Ayton was entering the final season of a four-year, $133 million contract he signed with the Indiana Pacers during the 2022 offseason that the Suns subsequently matched. Ayton had $35.6 million remaining on his contract.
Last season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 30.1 minutes across 40 games with the Blazers. The Blazers have a crowded depth chart at center with Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams and Yang Hansen.
Ayton, who is represented by Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian, will undoubtedly be linked with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are searching for an upgrade at center and Ayton shares the same agent as Luka Doncic in Duffy. The Lakers could use the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Ayton following the decision by Dorian Finney-Smith to not exercise his player option.
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June 29, 2025 | 11:30 pm
