Armed with the $14.1 million mid-level exception, the Lakers are expected to chase Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and the Atlanta Hawks’ Clint Capela, with the surprise addition of Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton as another target on their list.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
When is the last time a young (7-yr, 7-ft center) was waived averaging a double-double(16 & ten, 59% FG, 75FT)? Ever? I have no clue why the Blazers felt compelled to release Deandre Ayton. I do know when I was around him for half his rookie year, he was utterly respectful to me! – 11:41 AM
When is the last time a young (7-yr, 7-ft center) was waived averaging a double-double(16 & ten, 59% FG, 75FT)? Ever? I have no clue why the Blazers felt compelled to release Deandre Ayton. I do know when I was around him for half his rookie year, he was utterly respectful to me! – 11:41 AM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Does Lebron Want Out? | Deandre Ayton Potential Fit | Free Agency Begins x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Does Lebron Want Out? | Deandre Ayton Potential Fit | Free Agency Begins x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Bobby Portis Jr. is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks on a three-year contract extension
Jabari Smith Jr. and Julius Randle reach agreements with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves
🛑 Portland Trail Blazers release Deandre Ayton
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:16 AM
Bobby Portis Jr. is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks on a three-year contract extension
Jabari Smith Jr. and Julius Randle reach agreements with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves🛑 Portland Trail Blazers release Deandre Ayton
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:16 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Deandre Ayton to Become Free Agent After Blazers Buyout sportando.basketball/en/deandre-ayt… – 3:00 AM
Deandre Ayton to Become Free Agent After Blazers Buyout sportando.basketball/en/deandre-ayt… – 3:00 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Sources: Portland had trade discussions with several teams interested in Deandre Ayton. However, the Trail Blazers made it clear they didn’t want to take on any multi-year contracts in return, which made it challenging to find contracts and players to match his $35 million salary – 2:13 AM
Sources: Portland had trade discussions with several teams interested in Deandre Ayton. However, the Trail Blazers made it clear they didn’t want to take on any multi-year contracts in return, which made it challenging to find contracts and players to match his $35 million salary – 2:13 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’m pro-Deandre Ayton for the Lakers. I think in their position, it made sense to take a talent swing and hope your culture can get the most out of him. There’s a chance you hit a home run with him. That chance didn’t exist with Capela or Brook. – 12:40 AM
I’m pro-Deandre Ayton for the Lakers. I think in their position, it made sense to take a talent swing and hope your culture can get the most out of him. There’s a chance you hit a home run with him. That chance didn’t exist with Capela or Brook. – 12:40 AM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout as it was reported in real time. We pinpointed about a dozen teams that make sense with the Lakers as the most likely suitor.
We also went over the four most logical LeBron James teams, and more! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout as it was reported in real time. We pinpointed about a dozen teams that make sense with the Lakers as the most likely suitor.
We also went over the four most logical LeBron James teams, and more! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
The context around Ayton vs. ________ changes a ton when you don’t have to send out multiple players to make the math work. BK – 12:09 AM
The context around Ayton vs. ________ changes a ton when you don’t have to send out multiple players to make the math work. BK – 12:09 AM
Justin Verrier @JustinVerrier
I think Deandre Ayton has a JaVale McGree track in him. Just a giant athlete belied by his unseriousness. Having to play through minimums might streamline his game the way CP did for him in 2021. – 11:48 PM
I think Deandre Ayton has a JaVale McGree track in him. Just a giant athlete belied by his unseriousness. Having to play through minimums might streamline his game the way CP did for him in 2021. – 11:48 PM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
This stream became Deandre Ayton hour. We just went through the exercise of identifying all the potential teams.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:26 PM
This stream became Deandre Ayton hour. We just went through the exercise of identifying all the potential teams.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:26 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Deandre Ayton is the only player in NBA history to average
15+ PPG
60+ FG%
in the playoffs. pic.x.com/1KzfZ0toCE – 10:58 PM
Deandre Ayton is the only player in NBA history to average
15+ PPG
60+ FG%
in the playoffs. pic.x.com/1KzfZ0toCE – 10:58 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Highest FG% by a player to average 15/10:
59.9 — MVP
59.0 — Deandre Ayton
58.7 — 3x DPOY
58.2 — 3x FMVP pic.x.com/hrazIZDtYa – 10:51 PM
Highest FG% by a player to average 15/10:
59.9 — MVP
59.0 — Deandre Ayton
58.7 — 3x DPOY
58.2 — 3x FMVP pic.x.com/hrazIZDtYa – 10:51 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Ayton to the Lakers would be fitting after the legacy of acquiring talented but frustrating centers they’ve built. – 10:40 PM
Ayton to the Lakers would be fitting after the legacy of acquiring talented but frustrating centers they’ve built. – 10:40 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Before anyone asks, the Suns have zero interest in a potential reunion with Deandre Ayton, per a source – 10:40 PM
Before anyone asks, the Suns have zero interest in a potential reunion with Deandre Ayton, per a source – 10:40 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+.
The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season.
He had $35.6M left on an expiring contract. – 10:37 PM
Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+.
The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season.
He had $35.6M left on an expiring contract. – 10:37 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Deandre Ayton in two seasons with Portland:
— 15.7 PPG
— 10.7 RPG
— 56.9 FG%
Which team could use him? pic.x.com/ab90MOlj7j – 10:37 PM
Deandre Ayton in two seasons with Portland:
— 15.7 PPG
— 10.7 RPG
— 56.9 FG%
Which team could use him? pic.x.com/ab90MOlj7j – 10:37 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. pic.x.com/DNYcNqRvkW – 10:35 PM
Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. pic.x.com/DNYcNqRvkW – 10:35 PM
More on this storyline
Before agreeing to a buyout with center Deandre Ayton, Portland had trade discussions with several teams interested in the 7-footer, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Trail Blazers made it clear they didn’t want to take on any multi-year contracts in return, which made it challenging to find contracts and players to match Ayton’s $35.55 million salary in a trade, HoopsHype has learned. -via HoopsHype / June 30, 2025
Michael Scotto: Sources: Portland had trade discussions with several teams interested in Deandre Ayton. However, the Trail Blazers made it clear they didn’t want to take on any multi-year contracts in return, which made it challenging to find contracts and players to match his $35 million salary. -via Bluesky / June 30, 2025
Sean Highkin: DA’s a flawed player but a good guy who I think was mischaracterized a lot nationally because of how things ended in Phoenix. One thing I really respected about him this past season was how visibly/vocally he supported and helped out Clingan. He could have felt a certain way about them drafting someone at his position in the top 10 but he embraced him right away and always hyped him up to us. -via Bluesky / June 30, 2025