Deandre Ayton is officially hitting the open market.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Portland Trail Blazers and Ayton have finalized a contract buyout, making the 26-year-old unrestricted. The move adds a proven interior presence to an already thin pool of available big men.
Ayton had one year remaining on his four-year, $133 million deal. Portland’s decision clears the way for the franchise to focus on developing younger frontcourt players, including Duop Reath and Jabari Walker.
The 7-foot center averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds across 40 games for the Blazers this past season. He shot 56.6 percent from the field and posted a double-double in 27 appearances.
Originally selected first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton played five seasons in Arizona and helped lead the team to the 2021 NBA Finals. He boasts career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 boards across 398 regular-season games.
Ayton also has 45 games of playoff experience, where he has averaged 15.9 points and 10.5 rebounds on 62.9 percent shooting. His performance during Phoenix’s 2021 run to the Finals showcased his value as a rim-runner, rebounder, and shot-alterer in high-stakes settings.
His availability now reshapes the free agency landscape, especially for teams in need of size and athleticism in the middle. The Los Angeles Lakers, who fell in the first round of the playoffs and lack reliable depth at center, are expected to explore potential fits.
The Trail Blazers finished 12th in the Western Conference with a 36–46 record and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. They are undergoing a rebuild, led by a core that includes Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Ayton, meanwhile, now has the chance to reset his career and find a better fit in a system where his two-way contributions can be maximized. At just 26, his combination of size, efficiency, and playoff experience is expected to draw interest quickly.
