The Golden State Warriors were weighing their options at the center position heading into NBA free agency on Monday, June 30, when an opportunity unexpectedly fell into their collective lap.
Center DeAndre Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Phoenix Suns, agreed to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. The ultimate result once he clears waivers on Tuesday is going to be a hard run at the seven-footer by any and all teams that could use a featured big man, which includes Golden State.
Bobby Marks and Ramona Shelburne, both of ESPN, explained the situation via separate X posts on Sunday.
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2).
Former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
"Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+," Marks wrote. "The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season. He had $35.6M left on an expiring contract."
"Ayton has to clear waivers in 48 hours," Shelburne added. "Portland had a glut of centers after the draft and it’s very hard to trade a player making as much as he does. Expect teams that need a center to be very active with him."
The Warriors can offer Ayton a solid situation based on what he says he wants, which is a shot to play for a title
Golden State went to the playoffs last season, won a round and may have done more damage if Stephen Curry hadn't strained his hamstring in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry and Draymond Green each have four championship rings, while new addition Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals over a five-year span.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) prepares to play the Minnesota Timberwolves before game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry.
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
However, the Warriors will have to compete with other teams for Ayton's services. Chief among them is likely to the be the Los Angeles Lakers, who also made the playoffs this year and also lost to the Timberwolves, at least in part due to a lack of interior strength and size.
Los Angeles has the advantage of Luka Doncic, who can sign up to a four-year contract extension in August. At this point in his career, and when healthy, Doncic is probably the best player on either the Lakers' or Warriors' rosters -- including all-time greats Curry and LeBron James. Furthermore, Doncic is the youngest of both teams' collections of superstars at just 26 years old, with five first-team All-NBA selections already to his credit.
Doncic is also an expert at making easier the lives of big men who play alongside him, while simultaneously helping them stuff the stat sheet -- always a good thing when considering future contract negotiations.
Ayton has averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over the course of his seven-year career and inked a four-year deal worth $133 million in July 2022 after helping the Suns reach the NBA Finals the summer before.