Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers and will enter free agency, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 26-year-old center was entering the final year of the $133 million contract he signed in 2022 as a member of the Phoenix Suns. In two years in Portland, Ayton averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Ayton’s career production on paper has not been the problem, averaging 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 59% from the field in seven years. The issue has been the lack of substance and physicality despite having the ability to play outside the constructs of a typical center. The former 2018 first overall pick has shown the ability to be an elite producer when asked to play a complementary role on a functional offense. When the Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2021, Ayton averaged 15.8 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 65.8% from the field. In the pick-and-roll offense, Devin Booker and Chris Paul greatly helped Ayton convert couRead More
Deandre Ayton is a perfect fit for this Western Conference contender
