Former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton posted a heartfelt message to Rip City on his Instagram page Wednesday after news broke that he had signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ayton, who spent two seasons with the Blazers, stated:
“RIP CITY, thank you. I appreciate ya’ll for welcoming me and my family. I’ve truly enjoyed my experience engaging with such a proud fanbase and beautiful community. Big up to my teammates, ya’ll the realest ✊🏽 The entire coaching staff, thank you for your leadership. I appreciate going to battle with ya’ll. Thank you to the entire front office and staff from the facility to the arena…I’m grateful to every one of you for being part of the journey.@trailblazers, you’ll always have a place in my heart."
Ayton and the Blazers reached a buyout agreement over the weekend on the final year of his contract worth $35.5 million. The Blazers will pay $25.5 million of Ayton’s contract after he agreed to give up $10 million to become a free agent.
On Wednesday, he reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers.
In two seasons with the Blazers, Ayton averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. Portland acquired him in a 2023 trade with the Phoenix Suns.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
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