Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Ayton, who will turn 27 next month, had $35.6 million left on a contract that was set to expire next summer. Ayton and his representatives approached the Blazers about a buyout and Ayton wanting to play in a winning situation, sources said.
He is now free to sign with any team, including those in both salary cap aprons, despite earning greater than $14.1 million. The waiver restriction that would normally prevent a player with Ayton's contract from signing with a team in the second apron applies only during the regular season, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
The move helps Portland clear up a crowded center room that includes Yang Hansen, the No. 16 pick in last week's draft, and Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 pick in last year's draft. The Blazers also have Robert Williams III and Duop Reath under contract.
The Blazers acquired Ayton from the Phoenix Suns in September 2023 in the three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 56.6% last season.
The 2018 No. 1 draft pick, Ayton helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021.
He is the first player to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first seven NBA seasons since Dwight Howard, whose career began in 2004-05. Ayton also is one of four players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the past seven seasons, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert and Nikola Vucevic.
Ayton was named to the 2018-19 All-Rookie Team, and he averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 59.7% in his five seasons with Phoenix. But there were questions about his consistency. Suns owner Mat Ishbia praised Ayton at the time of the trade while saying the newly acquired Jusuf Nurkic was a better fit.
Ayton played only 40 games for Portland this past season, the second fewest of his career, and he has appeared in only 95 out of a possible 164 games over the past two campaigns.