PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - The Portland Trail Blazers and center Deandre Ayton agreed to a contract buyout on Sunday, the team announced.
Ayton was originally acquired by Portland from the Phoenix Suns in the three-team Damian Lillard trade prior to the 2023-34 season.
The 26-year-old had one year and $35.6 million remaining on his contract.
In two season with the Trail Blazers, appearing in 95 out of a possible 164 games, the native Bahamian averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Injuries limited him to just 40 games in the 2024-25 season.
The move opens up playing time in a crowded big man room for the Blazers.
2024 first-round pick Donovan Clingan made 37 starts in place of the injured Ayton last season, and the team acquired Chinese center Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick in last week’s NBA Draft.
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The Portland Trail Blazers reportedly traded down in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, acquiring the rights to the 16th pick, Yang Hansen.
Centers Robert Williams III and Duop Reath are also under contract for the 2025-26 season.
It’s been a busy offseason already for the Blazers, who went 36-46 in the 2024-25 season, a 15-game improvement over the previous season.
The team has reportedly acquired veteran guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics for longtime Blazer Anfernee Simons, though the deal can not officially go through until July 6 and the start of the new league year.
Portland also picked up the third-year team option of guard Rayan Rupert on Saturday.
NBA teams can begin negotiating with free agents for the 2025-26 season on July 1, and can begin officially signing new players July 6.
The Blazers begin Summer League play in Las Vegas on July 11 against the Golden State Warriors.
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