The Portland Trail Blazers are cutting their losses with Deandre Ayton.
The Blazers are working toward a contract buyout with Ayton, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Ayton is set to become a free agent right before the start of NBA free agency.
Ayton was slated to make $35.6 million next season — the final year of the four-year, $133 million contract he signed during the 2022 offseason. He will be able to sign with any team. Second-apron restrictions would not prevent teams from signing Ayton, given that the buyout occurred before the start of the regular season.
Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/DNYcNqRvkW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Ayton instantly becomes one of the most sought-after free agents in the open market. Several center-needy teams would love to add a 27-year-old big man capable of physically matching up with most centers across the league.
The Blazers nabbed Ayton as part of the deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Pegged as the team’s starting center of the future, Ayton saw his numbers decline in Portland. His time with the team was defined more by off-court issues than his on-court production.
Portland’s decision to part ways with Ayton also helps clear up the team’s logjam at the center position. The Blazers ended last season with Ayton, Robert Williams, Duop Reath, and 2024 No. 7 overall pick Donovan Clingan on their roster.
The Blazers also picked 7’1″ center Hansen Yang with the 16th pick in this month’s draft. Given the fan base Yang is already cultivating in Portland, it won’t be long before Ayton becomes old news.