With free agency beginning at 5pm CT today, ESPN’s Bobby Marks made a surprising announcement on Get Up this morning, saying, “I would certainly keep an eye on Deandre Ayton as a possible suitor in Milwaukee.”
Now, you never really know what’s real and what’s ESPN blabber when it comes to Giannis. That said, when asked if the [Bobby Portis re-signing](https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/6/29/24458547/milwaukee-bucks-nba-free-agency-bobby-portis-shams-charania) would move the needle for Antetokounmpo as it pertains to his supposed decision to stay or go, Marks said that it was “step one” and that he believed there would be “steps two, three, and four.”
Ayton, who is finalising a buyout of the final year of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, has had a volatile few seasons in Portland (and his whole career, to be fair). However, the centre market is thin, and with the uncertainty around Brook Lopez’s status with the team, the Bucks need an answer as to who will be the team’s starting big. Whatever you may think of Ayton’s motor and attitude, he is a legitimate starting centre with real size and defensive chops.
Additionally, Ayton certainly wouldn’t be earning anywhere close to the $35.6m contract he was on before the buyout this season. I assume he would be after a one-year deal and then be keen to explore free agency once again this time next year. Regardless, the Bucks have a hole at centre that needs filling, and Ayton can fill that hole for the time being. If Milwaukee can’t find a true starting centre, they could roll with Bobby Portis, of course. Sure, Portis fits well alongside Giannis on the offensive end. But there is a reason BP has spent the bulk of his career playing off the bench: defensive concerns.
Ayton will officially clear waivers at 5pm ET on Wednesday.