Deandre Ayton Set for Buyout as Trail Blazers Clear the Deck for Youth Movement

The Portland Trail Blazers are cutting ties with center Deandre Ayton in a surprising but strategic move. The 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick will become a free agent just as NBA free agency opens Monday.

This comes less than two years after Ayton arrived in Portland via the blockbuster three-team trade that shipped Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

Portland Ends the Ayton Experiment Early

Ayton still had one year left on his massive four-year, $132 million contract, originally inked with the Phoenix Suns. That final year carried a hefty $35 million price tag. Portland clearly decided they weren’t willing to pay that price for a center who missed nearly half the season.

Only 40 games played last year. That tells you most of what you need to know.

In those limited appearances, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on 56.6% shooting. Solid numbers, sure. But not quite game-changing — especially not for $35 million.

And that’s really what this comes down to. The Blazers have three younger, cheaper centers who all showed promise: Duop Reath, Moses Brown, and Ibou Badji. Ayton, with his injuries and inconsistency, no longer fit that puzzle.

From Arizona Star to NBA Nomad?

Deandre Ayton’s pro journey has taken a sharp turn from his college days.

He came into the league with sky-high expectations. At Arizona, he was a force. Consensus All-American. Pac-12 Player of the Year. Tournament MVP. The Karl Malone Award. All as a freshman. He looked like the total package.

Phoenix agreed. They made him the top pick in 2018.

But since then, it’s been… uneven. He showed flashes of dominance during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run. But his relationship with head coach Monty Williams frayed. So did his connection with the team. By the time he was traded to Portland, it felt inevitable.

Now, at just 26, he’s about to join his third NBA team.

What Went Wrong in Portland?

There wasn’t one thing, but more like a slow drip of little issues.

The injuries were real. He struggled to stay on the court — and even when he did, it didn’t feel like he ever really clicked with the Blazers’ system. There was talk about his motor, his focus, his presence on both ends.

Also, Portland’s timeline didn’t match his.

They’re in a rebuild. Ayton wasn’t. He’s in the middle of his prime years and needs a team that’s ready to win now.

• Ayton played just 40 of 82 regular season games in 2024–25.

• He averaged 30.2 minutes, 14.4 points, and 10.2 rebounds per game.

• Portland’s center rotation includes three younger players under 26.

• His $35M cap hit was the 8th-highest among NBA centers last season.

Who’s Picking Up the Phone?

Now that Ayton’s free, expect the phones to light up.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, multiple contenders are already circling. The Lakers. The Celtics. The Warriors. The Bucks. It’s not hard to see why. At his best, Ayton is a double-double machine with soft hands and size you can’t teach.

The real question? Fit. He’s not a stretch five. His passing is average. But he can rebound, finish, and he’s athletic enough to switch defensively when locked in.

Don’t expect a long wait.

He’ll get calls — but maybe not the kind of deal he once commanded.

Another one-liner for variety.

Market Value and Risk: What’s He Worth Now?

Ayton’s going to get paid — but not $35 million.

More likely, he’ll land a short-term deal, something like a one-year “prove-it” contract. Maybe with a second-year team option. Maybe mid-level exception range, especially if he joins a contender.

Let’s break down what teams might see in him.

He’s young. He’s skilled. But the injuries and perception issues will follow him, fair or not.

What This Means for Portland

It’s a reset. Simple as that.

The Blazers want minutes for their younger bigs. They’re thinking long-term, trying to build through the draft and internal development. Cutting Ayton frees up cap space, playing time, and noise.

And they weren’t contending anyway. No point keeping a $35 million center for 11th place.

This also sends a message: nobody’s safe if they aren’t contributing.

Portland’s front office has been fairly quiet since the Lillard trade — this move shows they’re still active, still willing to pull the trigger on big decisions.

It’s not a blockbuster. But it matters.