Report: Blazers, Deandre Ayton Agree to Contract Buyout

The Portland Trail Blazers are moving on from Deandre Ayton.

Specifically, the Blazers have reached a contract buyout agreement with the veteran center, per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move clears the way for Ayton to hit the free agent market immediately.

Ayton, 26, was entering the final season of a four-year, $132.9 million contract originally signed with the Suns. He was owed $35.5 million for 2025-26.

The Blazers recently used first-round picks on centers Donovan Clingan (2024) and Kel’el Ware (2025), and were expected to shift focus toward their development. The buyout opens up both rotation minutes and future cap flexibility as Portland continues its rebuild.

Despite carrying a remaining salary of over $14.1 million, Ayton is free to sign with any team. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, the restriction that prevents second-apron teams from claiming waived players with large salaries only applies during the season, not in the offseason.

Ayton averaged 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds last season. Originally selected No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, he has career averages of 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds.