Deandre Ayton reached a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to pursue a chance to play for a contender after a disappointing, injury-limited season.
Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, the team announced.
Ayton, who turns 27 next month, had $35.6 million remaining on a contract that was set to expire next summer.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Ayton and his representatives approached the Blazers about a buyout, with Ayton expressing a desire to join a winning situation.
He is now free to sign with any team, including those over both salary cap aprons, despite having earned more than $14.1 million last season.
As ESPN's Bobby Marks notes, the waiver restriction that would normally prevent a player on Ayton's contract from joining a second-apron team only applies during the regular season.
Credit Christian Petersen/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
The veteran center immediately becomes a surprise addition to a free-agent market that early re-signings have thinned.
Ayton is coming off arguably the worst season of his career, averaging a career-low-tying 14.4 points per game while appearing in just 40 games for Portland last season.
After signing a max contract offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers—later matched by the Phoenix Suns—Ayton was eventually traded to the Blazers. Even with Ayton's arrival, Portland has not reached the postseason since 2021.
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