Report: Trail Blazers, Ayton finalizing contract buyout

Deandre Ayton is set to hit the open market.

The 26-year-old and the Portland Trail Blazers are finalizing a contract buyout, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Ayton was set to earn $35.5 million in 2025-26 - the final campaign of the four-year, $132.9-million contract he inked in 2022 as a member of the Phoenix Suns. The Indiana Pacers extended him an offer sheet that summer before Phoenix matched it.

The center averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 appearances with the Trail Blazers last season. Portland acquired him from Phoenix in 2023 as part of a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ayton will join a free-agent market that could include fellow bigs Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, and Clint Capela, among others.

The Suns drafted Ayton with the first overall selection in 2018. The Bahamas native has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in seven NBA seasons.

Portland's decision to part ways with Ayton could open up more playing time for 2024 No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 6.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in 19.8 minutes across 67 contests during his rookie campaign.