Deandre Ayton’s tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers has officially come to an end as the team confirmed a contract buyout agreement with the 26-year-old center, making him a free agent and opening a new chapter in his NBA career. The buyout, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and finalized on June 30, 2025, places Ayton on waivers, with the expectation that he will clear them and become an unrestricted free agent by July 2.
Ayton’s departure from Portland marks the conclusion of a tumultuous two-year stint following a high-profile trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal. Originally drafted first overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2018, Ayton had spent his entire five-year NBA career with the Suns before the trade uprooted him to the Trail Blazers in September 2023. The Blazers acquired Ayton as they looked to reshape their roster, but the fit ultimately did not pan out as hoped.
During his time in Portland, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game across 40 starts in the 2024-25 season. His production, while respectable, was below his career averages and was hampered by a left calf injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the season. Despite his efforts, the Blazers struggled, finishing with one of the league’s poorest net ratings and last in key guard play metrics such as assist rate and assist-to-turnover ratio.
Ayton’s career arc in Portland was also marked by off-court challenges. According to a February 2024 report by The Athletic’s Jason Quick, his early months with the Blazers were marred by issues with tardiness and behavioral outbursts, drawing unfavorable comparisons to former Blazers center Hassan Whiteside. Yet, Ayton showed a glimpse of his potential in the latter half of the season, increasing his scoring average to 22.7 points after the All-Star break, a significant jump from 13.8 points in the first half. Unfortunately, this surge did little to change the team’s fortunes.
The financial details of the buyout have not been officially disclosed, but Ayton was set to earn $35 million in the final year of his four-year, $132 million contract signed with Phoenix in 2022. Reports suggest he is relinquishing a substantial portion of that salary to pursue a fresh start in a winning environment. Portland, meanwhile, is positioning itself to develop younger talent, having recently drafted centers Donovan Clingan and Hansen Yang in consecutive first rounds, and retaining veterans like Robert Williams III and Duop Reath.
With Ayton’s buyout complete, the center enters a free agency class that includes notable names such as Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and Al Horford. The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as a leading candidate to sign him, especially after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 and facing a pressing need for a strong interior presence. The Lakers’ pursuit of Ayton could provide him with the winning situation he desires and a chance to reinvent his role on a contending team.
Conversely, the Phoenix Suns have reportedly ruled out a reunion with Ayton, closing the door on a potential return to the franchise that initially drafted him and where he helped reach the 2021 NBA Finals. This development underscores the finality of Ayton’s exit from Portland and the Suns’ focus on moving forward without him.
Reflecting on Ayton’s journey, it’s clear that the center’s career has been a rollercoaster of high expectations, flashes of brilliance, and unfulfilled potential. His rookie season earned him a spot on the All-Rookie first team and third place in Rookie of the Year voting, signaling a promising start. However, injuries, team dynamics, and off-court issues have complicated his path. Portland’s rebuild and guard struggles didn’t provide the ideal platform for Ayton to thrive, and despite his individual improvements late in the season, the team’s overall performance remained lackluster.
As Ayton prepares to enter free agency, the question remains where he will land next. His combination of size, skill, and experience makes him one of the more attractive centers available, but his recent history suggests that the fit and environment will be crucial to his success. Teams looking to bolster their frontcourt will weigh the risks and rewards of adding a player who has shown both promise and inconsistency.
For the Trail Blazers, the buyout clears significant salary cap space and allows them to focus on developing their young core, particularly their recent first-round picks. The move signals a commitment to a long-term rebuild and a shift away from relying on veteran big men like Ayton. Portland’s front office has made it clear that the future lies with their youth, and Ayton’s departure is a natural step in that process.
In the end, Ayton’s exit from Portland is a story of change and opportunity. While his time with the Trail Blazers did not yield the playoff success or personal growth many anticipated, the buyout frees him to seek a fresh start and perhaps a more fitting role on a contender. As the NBA offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on where Ayton lands and how he adapts to the next chapter of his career.
