Deandre Ayton Trade Rumors Erupt: Could the Suns’ Star Center Be on the Move?

Centerpiece of Portland’s rebuild exits: Deandre Ayton reportedly finalizes buyout with Trail Blazers PORTLAND — In a move that reshapes both the Trail Blazers’ cap sheet and the 2025 free-agent market, Portland and 26-year-old center Deandre Ayton have agreed to a contract buyout that will make the former No. 1 overall pick an unrestricted free agent as soon as he clears waivers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and multiple outlets. Key details • Ayton is walking away from approximately $35.6 million on the final season of his deal, though sources say he will recoup a significant portion via the negotiated settlement. • Because the transaction falls in the offseason, luxury-tax “second-apron” restrictions do not prevent contenders from claiming or signing him once the waiver period ends. • Portland gains north of $30 million in instantaneous cap flexibility, positioning GM Joe Cronin to chase elite 2026 draft odds while giving minutes to rookies Donovan Clingan and Kris Murray. Why the split happened Ayton averaged 15.2 points and 9.6 rebounds on 58 percent shooting across 41 games in 2024-25 but battled a pair of calf strains that limited him after the All-Star break. Internally, the Blazers have prioritized timeline synergy around Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and the newly extended Anfernee Simons; Ayton’s salary and post-heavy style were increasingly viewed as mismatched with that vision, per league sources. Immediate free-agent landscape Executives contacted Saturday night universally pegged the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets as aggressive suitors once Ayton is free to negotiate. The Lakers, searching for a long-term Anthony Davis front-court partner, can dangle the $12.9 million mid-level exception plus Hollywood marketing upside. Dallas has a gaping hole at starting center after Dwight Powell’s pending departure, while Charlotte possesses max cap space and a glaring need next to LaMelo Ball. Fit check • Pick-and-roll gravity: Despite criticism of his motor, Ayton graded in the 81st percentile league-wide as a roll man, per Synergy, a skill that could turbo-charge Luka Dončić or LeBron James ball-screens. • Durability questions: Since 2022 he has missed 79 regular-season games; interested teams will scrutinize his medicals. • Switch potential: A 7-foot-1 frame with lateral agility still intrigues defenses that rely on aggressive hedge-and-recover schemes. What it means for Portland The Blazers now project to open July with roughly $42 million in usable space, enough to serve as a salary-dump hub or to ink short-term veteran contracts that could be flipped at the deadline. Internally, rookie Clingan is expected to start at center on opening night, accelerating the youth movement. Big-picture ripple effects Ayton instantly becomes the top traditional center in a free-agent class short on size, pushing lesser names such as Nick Richards and Daniel Gafford down the board. His availability may also cool the trade market for veterans Jarrett Allen and Jakob Poeltl as front offices explore a zero-asset signing instead of sacrificing draft capital. Next dates to watch • Waiver clearance deadline: 48 hours after official league paperwork is filed. • Free-agency moratorium opens: July 1, 6 p.m. ET. Ayton can begin negotiating new contracts immediately upon clearing waivers. • FIBA Olympic tune-ups: Ayton is expected to suit up for the Bahamas in mid-July, giving teams a live scouting window ahead of training camps. Bottom line A year after being dealt from Phoenix, Deandre Ayton is on the move again—this time by choice. For contenders hunting rim protection and playoff-tested size without surrendering draft equity, the summer just got a lot more interesting.