Deandre Ayton has averaged a double-double in each of his 7 seasons in the NBA.
Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, the team announced shortly after midnight Monday.
The veteran center instantly becomes a surprise addition to a free agent market thinned by reported re-signings. The 26-year-old big man is coming off arguably the poorest season of his career, tying a career low in scoring (14.4 ppg) while playing in just 40 games with Portland last season.
Thank you for everything, DA. Grateful for your time in Rip City ❤️ pic.twitter.com/al1hs1tv8K
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 30, 2025
The first overall pick of the 2018 Draft, Ayton has averaged over 10 rebounds per game in each of his seven seasons in the league. He played a key role with his first team, the Phoenix Suns, reaching the NBA Finals in 2021 where they lost to the eventual-champion Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
Ayton was traded to Portland two seasons later, one year after signing a max contract offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers that was subsequently matched by the Suns. Even with the addition of Ayton, the Blazers have not made the postseason since 2021.
Ayton’s departure further emphasizes Portland’s pivot toward home-grown lottery picks Scoot Henderson (3rd overall, 2023), Shaedon Sharpe (7th overall, 2022) and Donovan Clingan (7th overall, 2024). The Blazers are also reportedly set to acquire veteran guard Jrue Holiday in a trade with Boston.