Deandre Ayton Set to Hit Free Agency After Trail Blazers Buyout – Big NBA Moves Incoming!

Deandre Ayton is reportedly finalizing a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday.

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If Ayton clears waivers by Wednesday, he will officially become a free agent and hit the open market this week.

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Ayton is owed $35.5M for next season, the final year of a $133M deal he originally signed with the Phoenix Suns.

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The Trail Blazers are focused on developing young centers like Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and rookie Yang Hansen.

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If bought out, Ayton becomes one of the top names in a thin free agent class—despite never making an All-Star team.

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Ayton, 26, was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft but hasn’t lived up to the hype compared to peers like Luka or Shai.

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Still, his averages—16.4 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1 BPG—make him a valuable big man for teams needing size and rebounding.

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The Lakers, Hornets, and other center-needy teams may eye Ayton for rim protection and post scoring this offseason.

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