In a shocking move, the Portland Trail Blazers have decided to buy out Deandre Ayton’s contract. The former No.1 overall pick was slated to earn $35.5 million in the 2025-26 season, the final year of his four-year $132 million contract extension. He is now an unrestricted free agent for the first time since he joined the league.
As soon as ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, many pointed out the obvious: Ayton could probably fill in a huge gap for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are currently desperate for a center to ensure that the team can compete at a high level.
Fans Feel Deandre Ayton Would Fit Well on the Lakers
This news couldn’t have come at a better time for the Lakers, who have been seeking a center for quite some time. The former No.1 pick measures in at 7’0″ and 252 pounds and is extremely athletic. He seems to be a perfect fit in the Lakers’ puzzle. He’s also coming off a solid season in Portland, where he averaged 14.4 points on 56.6% shooting to go along with 10.2 rebounds.
Of course, LA won’t be the only team to pursue Ayton. There will be many strong contenders, but fans feel Ayton wouldn’t pass up on the chance to play with LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
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
An NBA fan pointed out how Ayton would be a great fit in LA but wasn’t very optimistic that they would sign him, “Has Laker written all over him, but I don’t imagine they’ll have cap space for him. Have to think he demands $20-25 mil annually, but who knows, maybe takes a prove it year with them to really get a bag in 2026 Free Agency.”
Has Laker written all over him but I don’t imagine they’ll have cap space for him.
Have to think he demands $20-25 mil annually but who knows maybe takes a prove it year with them to really get a bag in 2026 FA.
— 🔪🗣️ (@knifetalkmavs) June 30, 2025
While some fans simply posted “Lakers” as a reaction to the news, others made their pleas. “Please go to the Lakers. They could really use a dependable big who gives max effort at all times,” one fan wrote.
Please go to the Lakers. They could really use a dependable big who gives max effort at all times.
— JOELVENILE (@joelvenile) June 30, 2025
One X user believed that certain factors could play into Ayton arriving in California and said on X, “The Lakers need a center. They don’t extend Dorian Finney-Smith, which opens up the full mid-level exception. DeAndre Ayton gets bought out, sacrificing $10–15 million, and shares the same agent as Luka. 🤔”
The Lakers need a center. They don’t extend Dorian Finney-Smith, which opens up the full mid-level exception. DeAndre Ayton gets bought out, sacrificing $10–15 million, and shares the same agent as Luka. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/mtFwan2A10
— Lakers Better (@LakersBetter) June 30, 2025
One Hoops fan commented how Ayton would be a “fool” to not go to LA and said, “He would be a fool not to go to the Lakers. He would have instant guaranteed minutes. A chance to play with a caliber of playmakers he has never had before with Luka, Austin, and LeBron. He could have a career year that could lead to a big contract. The game would become much easier for him. The Lakers would be ideal for him!”
The Lakers have had this hole to fill at center for quite some time now. Before getting traded, even Anthony Davis pointed out that they needed one. Despite their strong regular-season run this past season, they were pushed aside by the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Rudy Gobert dropped 27 points and 24 rebounds in the fifth game of the series, which ended the Lakers’ season.
Ayton would be an excellent option for Los Angeles. While the details of his contract buyout with Portland haven’t been finalized yet, Ayton could possibly take less money in the 2025-26 season to prove himself before he aims for a bigger contract. Dončić and Ayton will likely fit together as the perfect pick-and-roll duo on the court if the big man chooses the Lakers.
