Report: Trail Blazers, Ayton finalizing contract buyout
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The Portland Trail Blazers are finalizing a contract buyout with centre DeAndre Ayton, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Charania adds that Ayton approached the Blazers about a buyout as the 7-foot big man wants to play in a winning situation.
The 26-year-old had $35.6 million left on his contract, which was set to expire after the 2025-26 season. He will now become a free agent free to sign with any team.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 40 games last season. He has spent the past two years with the Blazers after he was traded by the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and landed Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic in Phoenix.
The Nassau, Bahamas, native has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in seven seasons with the Suns and Trail Blazers. He helped the Suns reach the NBA finals in the 2021 season.