Jan 21, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) reacts from the bench after an apparent knee injury against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Portland Trail Blazers Owe Deandre Ayton A Lot Of Money Next Season

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 7:07 PM ET

Deandre Ayton has spent each of the previous two seasons playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The former Arizona star finished the 2024-25 NBA season with averages of 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 56.6% from the field in 40 games.

Next season, Ayton will enter the final year of his contract.

He will be paid $35.6 million for the 2025-26 NBA season.

While Ayton is a solid player, he is clearly not worth the money he has been paid over the last few years.

The good news for Portland is that Ayton will come off their books at the end of the season.

That said, if they do not want to re-sign him, he could also be used as a trade chip (due to his large expiring deal).

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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