The first overall pick of the 2018 Draft, Ayton has averaged over 10 rebounds per game in each of his seven seasons in the league. He played a key role with his first team, the Phoenix Suns, reaching the NBA Finals in 2021 where they lost to the eventual-champion Milwaukee Bucks in six games.

The Trail Blazers made a surprising move ahead of the start of free agency on Monday, electing to buyout center DeAndre Ayton according to a team release. Ayton is on track to become a free agent on Wednesday once his $35.5 million salary clears waivers.

There was no calm before the storm that's already the 2025 NBA offseason. The winds started whipping up during the Finals, and it feels like we get more thunderous news on the player movement front every day.