The Portland Trail Blazers and Deandre Ayton have reached an agreement to buyout the center’s contract. The Trail Blazers have requested waivers on Ayton, the team announced Monday morning.
In 2022, Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million deal with the Suns, and he was slated to make $35.5 million next season.
Ayton, 26, was originally acquired by the Trail Blazers in a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks on September 27, 2023.
Last season, in 40 games, Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest.
In two seasons in Portland, Ayton averaged 15.7 points (56.9 FG%, 75.5 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 31.5 minutes per game in 95 games and 95 starts.
The seven-year veteran, who was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has accrued career averages of 16.4 points (59.0 FG%, 75.5 FT%), 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 30.8 minutes in 398 career games (391 starts) for Phoenix and Portland.
Given Ayton’s skill set and experience, it’s safe to say that there will be a significant amount of interest in him from other NBA teams.
