BREAKING: Ex-Suns Top Draft Pick Enters Free Agency – What’s Next?

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By: Mike

PHOENIX — Deandre Ayton, previously the top pick for the Phoenix Suns, is set to enter free agency.

Per reports from NBA expert Shams Charania, Ayton is working on a buy-out with the Portland Trail Blazers, planning to make him available on the free market as of July 6.

“Breaking: Deandre Ayton is concluding a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers to enter free agency, sources inform ESPN,” Charania noted on X.

“This unexpected move adds Ayton to the free-agent pool, offering him a new start as the Trail Blazers focus on developing their young roster of centers,” he added.

Portland’s team features several young talents, like former Suns draft pick Toumani Camara, in the center position, making Ayton’s higher salary less justifiable.

Ayton’s stint with Portland was marred by injuries, limiting his appearances to just 95 games over two seasons.

Ayton was a central figure in a three-team trade that brought him to Portland, sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, and moved Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic to Phoenix before the 2023-24 season began.

Previously, the Suns had matched a four-year, $133 million offer from the Indiana Pacers to retain their top draft pick.

Having been a vital part of Phoenix’s journey to the 2021 NBA Finals, expectations were high for Ayton’s offensive skills to lead the Suns to further success, although he did not quite meet those expectations.

Now Ayton is poised for free agency, though the Suns appear disinterested in bringing him back.

Phoenix recently bolstered its center lineup by drafting Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach, the tenth overall pick, joining existing players Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro.

Ayton, who will be 27 in July, averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season.

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