The NBA world was recently surprised by the news that Deandre Ayton finalized a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, making him a free agent for the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season.
While Ayton played a key role in the Phoenix Suns’ journey to the 2021 NBA Finals, his career trajectory has shifted significantly since then. His departure from Portland raises questions about his next destination and whether a new environment could revitalize his impact in the league.
Kendrick Perkins Warns Teams About Deandre Ayton
When the Suns traded Ayton to the Blazers, many anticipated a fresh start for the center with a young, rebuilding squad. However, his playing style ultimately did not align with Portland’s long-term vision, leading to the team’s decision to part ways. This move has created a buzz across the league, with speculation rising about potential landing spots for the talented big man.
Former NBA champion and current analyst Kendrick Perkins recently weighed in on Ayton’s unexpected buyout, offering a stern message about his future. Perkins, who understands the demands of winning at the highest level, did not mince words during a recent episode of “First Take”. He openly criticized Ayton’s personality and character, issuing a subtle but direct warning that the center must “change a lot about himself” to avoid a shortened NBA career.
“The word around the league is not good about Deandre Ayton,” Perkins stated. “The Portland Trail Blazers were happy as hell that they got to this point with him. Right now, he’s been labeled as a diva, as a cancer in the locker room, and if I’m Deandre Ayton, I gotta have a moment. I gotta have someone speak the real to me because we’re talking about a former number one pick that didn’t work out with the Phoenix Suns, the team that drafted him number one.”
“The word around the league is not good about Deandre Ayton… right now he’s been labeled as a diva, as a cancer in the locker room… he has to change a lot about himself or he will find his career being shortened.”
– Kendrick Perkins 😳pic.twitter.com/YJxhDgdWt4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 30, 2025
Perkins continued, emphasizing the gravity of Ayton’s situation: “And now you get to the Portland Trail Blazers… They welcomed him with open arms… And now you get to this point… I believe that he’s one situation away. The next situation that he lands to, even if it’s the Lakers, he has to change a lot about himself or he will find his career being shortened, and he will find himself out of the league.”
Ayton’s Potential Fit with the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in significant need of a center who can protect the rim and provide much-needed defensive assistance, particularly for stars like Luka Dončić. Given this clear positional need, Ayton could potentially be a strong fit for the team.
The fact that he was bought out and is now a free agent means he will likely need to seriously consider any offer extended by the Lakers, or any other franchise, to maintain his standing in the league. This presents a unique opportunity for a team willing to take a calculated risk on a player with immense talent but lingering questions about his consistency and attitude.
As the 2025-2026 season approaches, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see if the Lakers will make the risky decision to bring on a player labeled as a “diva” in an effort to address their roster weaknesses. The coming weeks will reveal whether Los Angeles, or another team, sees the potential reward outweighing the perceived risk in acquiring Ayton.
