The Portland Trail Blazers have bought out the final year of center Deandre Ayton’s four-year, $132 million contract, making him an unrestricted free agent for the first time his career. After two seasons in Portland, Ayton is a surprise addition to this summer’s free agent market and could figure into the plans of several center-needy teams.
5 Free Agency Landing Spots for Deandre Ayton
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the news in a post on X, writing “Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN.”
Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/DNYcNqRvkW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Ayton was selected No. 1 overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft and was a key piece of their 2021 NBA Finals run. With career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and a block per game, the seven-footer will likely have an intriguing market of teams vying for his contributions.
Here are five teams that could use Ayton’s contributions and may be in the running to sign him this summer.
Los Angeles Lakers
It was apparent immediately that the Los Angeles Lakers had a major hole at the center position as soon as Anthony Davis was traded for Luka Dončić. In their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they were pushed around in the middle and watched Rudy Gobert drop 27 points and grab 24 rebounds in the Game 5 loss that ended their season.
Though the Lakers would make the Dončić for Davis trade 100 times out of 100, it’s time to address that hole in free agency. He’s among the best options with Ayton now on the free agent market. And while the details of the contract buyout with the Trail Blazers have yet to be finalized, Ayton may be willing to take less money this upcoming season — important for Los Angeles as they navigate the luxury tax.
As far on the court fit, Ayton and Dončić would immediately fit together as a pick-and-roll duo. Though Ayton isn’t the traditional above-the-rim finisher that Dončić has had in the past, he excelled in the short roll with future Hall-of-Fame point guard Chris Paul in Phoenix. Specializing in a short, 10-foot jumper, Ayton could make a living off finishing those shots off Dončić’s passes.
Ayton isn’t the rim protector that the Lakers would like to have as their defensive anchor, but he moves his feet well enough on the perimeter to make up for it. During the Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals run, Phoenix ranked fourth in points allowed per 100 possessions and fifth in scoring defense with Ayton in the middle.
Far and away, this is the best fit and most likely landing spot for the former Trail Blazers and Suns big man. He has had some issues with teammates and attitude problems, but the Lakers would be hopeful that being in the spotlight and surrounded by strong leaders would bring out his best behavior and performance.
Golden State Warriors
Ever since Andrew Bogut left following the 2015-16 season, the Golden State Warriors have been without a starting-caliber center (save for a couple of months of DeMarcus Cousins in 2019). Kevon Looney, at 6’9″, has stepped into that role when needed over the last decade. Draymond Green, 6’7″, has largely been the answer, leaving the Warriors heavily undersized.
Signing Ayton would mean bringing along an actual starting center who can do some things with the ball in his hands, though that time may be more limited with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III in the fold for Golden State. Aside from a developed back-to-the-basket game, Ayton is a terrific screener and someone who could set picks on and off the ball for Curry.
Though also having to toe the line of the first and second apron with several expensive deals on their books, the Warriors would ideally sign Ayton to a short-term, “prove it” type of deal. If it works out and he proves to be a good fit, then they could re-sign him to a longer-term deal next summer.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics will be highly unlikely to outbid anyone in the market for Ayton, as trades of guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis have revealed their plan to shed salary. But if Ayton wants to be a part of a winning program, the Celtics have a hole at the center position waiting to be filled.
Aside from winning, Ayton may receive more touches in Boston than in other places, as superstar forward Jayson Tatum is set to miss most, if not all, of next season with a torn Achilles. While Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and newly-acquired Anfernee Simons will take a majority of the shots, there will be plenty more to go around in the absence of Tatum, Holiday and Porzingis.
From Boston’s perspective, they need production from the center position. Both Luke Kornet and Al Horford, reserve centers from a year ago, are unrestricted free agents. Though they may resign one or both, neither projects as even an average center in the league.
That’s where Ayton could step in, providing rebounding and scoring production down low that would be missed without him.
Indiana Pacers
Ayton’s contract that the Trail Blazers bought out was actually signed by the Indiana Pacers in the summer of 2022. A restricted free agent at the time, the Suns matched the offer sheet and brought back Ayton. In turn, the Pacers re-signed center Myles Turner — who was a major factor during their run to the finals this past season.
It all worked out for Indiana, but they face another offseason of questions regarding Turner. Having played well during the postseason, there’s some belief that he may have priced himself out of resigning with the Pacers. If that’s the case, they may have to quickly pivot and look elsewhere.
Clearly, the Pacers’ decision-makers believe in Ayton after signing him to that rich deal three summers ago. Would they try again this summer without the hurdle of restricted free agency?
They certainly could, especially with point guard Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss a majority of next season with a torn Achilles. Turner feasted on pick-and-pops with Haliburton but struggled when he was off the floor. Ayton can create looks for himself in the post, something Turner can’t do.
If it gets to the point where Turner is testing his market around the league, don’t be surprised to hear the Pacers’ name in contract talks with Ayton.
Milwaukee Bucks
With seven-year starting center Brook Lopez set to enter unrestricted free agency before his age-37 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are a prime candidate to get younger at that position this summer.
Seven years into the league and still just 26 years old, Ayton would be exactly the younger presence Milwaukee could be looking for. With a potential transition period on the way, even if superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo decides to stay with the team, the Bucks would be wise to address the center position with an established starter like Ayton.
The issue of Ayton not being physical enough in the paint could be hidden by the physicality that Antetokounmpo brings. And while he doesn’t have the outside shot like Lopez, he’s more mobile moving off the ball and can set picks and roll to the rim at a speed that Lopez lacks.
In the weakened Eastern Conference and with Antetokounmpo still in the fold, the goal should be to surround their superstar with as many competent players as possible, to which Ayton would fit into that category. If they can do so, anything is possible if the Bucks can stay healthy once the postseason comes along.
