Deandre Ayton Bought Out: 5 Teams That Should Take the Chance

Deandre Ayton’s time in Portland has officially come to an end.

After nearly two full seasons with the Blazers, the former No. 1 pick was bought out, clearing over $35 million from the team’s payroll and sending Ayton into unrestricted free agency. Now 26, he’s back on the open market with a clean slate—and a lot to prove.

The raw production still checks out. Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season while shooting 56.6% from the field. But everyone knows this isn’t about stats anymore. It’s about consistency, fit, and whether he’s finally ready to buy into a role that works.

Here are five teams that could actually use Ayton—and give him the reset he needs.

Photo Via Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

1. Los Angeles Lakers

There’s a clear need here.

After trading Anthony Davis to Dallas at the deadline, the Lakers never replaced him in the middle. Jaxson Hayes is a fine bench piece, but he’s not a starter on a contending roster. With LeBron James staying and Luka Dončić now in town, L.A. is in win-now mode—and they need a center who can play 25 minutes a night without tanking the defense.

Ayton fits. He’d run pick-and-rolls with Luka, clean up the glass, and defend the paint without being asked to carry an offense. It’s a simplified role in a structured system—exactly what he hasn’t had since Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run.

If Ayton wants to rebuild his image in front of the entire basketball world, this is the spot.

2. Miami Heat

This is where careers either sink or straighten out.

Miami demands accountability. They’ve turned overlooked players into long-term contributors because they don’t tolerate anything less than full effort. Ayton would have to earn everything here—minutes, trust, touches—but that might be what he needs.

With Bam Adebayo in place, Ayton wouldn’t start. But he’d have a clear role as a second-unit big and could potentially play alongside Bam in bigger lineups. Miami’s coaching and culture are as good as it gets for a player in Ayton’s situation.

If he wants to prove he can be serious about defense and team success, there’s no better test than South Beach.

Photo Via Lynne Sladky/AP

3. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers just made the NBA Finals, but they’re heading into next season facing major setbacks.

With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the entire year and cap space tied up in long-term extensions, Indiana is looking more like a team trying to stay afloat than one trying to repeat a Finals run. Still, the need for frontcourt depth is real—especially behind Myles Turner, who logged heavy minutes in the playoffs with little relief.

Ayton wouldn’t get paid here—Indiana’s over the cap and limited to offering a small exception or veteran minimum. But if he’s open to taking less money in exchange for playing time and a steady role on a playoff-tested roster, it’s an option worth considering.

He’d likely operate as Turner’s backup, playing 15–20 minutes a night, stabilizing the second unit, and offering interior presence for a team that will have to grind games out without its star guard.

Indiana won’t offer the brightest spotlight or the biggest check. But if Ayton is serious about proving he can contribute in a winning structure—and keep his career on track—it’s the kind of low-pressure environment that could quietly help him get there.

Photo Via Michael Conroy/AP

4. Brooklyn Nets

No team has a bigger frontcourt void than Brooklyn.

With Nic Claxton likely gone, the Nets are staring at a clean slate at center. Ayton could walk in and start immediately, giving them a veteran presence with playoff experience and legit rebounding skills. And in Brooklyn, he wouldn’t be buried on a depth chart or fighting for minutes—he’d have room to operate.

There’s no real pressure to contend. The Nets are retooling, not rebuilding. That makes this a low-stress, high-opportunity setup for Ayton. He gets to play real minutes, rebuild his value, and potentially flip this into a bigger deal next summer.

Brooklyn has the cap space and need to get a deal done. Simple as that.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

This team is shifting into a new phase.

With Damian Lillard out for the entire 2025–26 season and Brook Lopez unlikely to return, Milwaukee suddenly finds itself thin at center—and uncertain about how far they can go next season. Ayton wouldn’t just be filling a bench role here. He could end up starting on Day 1.

The Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo. That alone gives them a playoff floor. What they need is someone who can control the glass, run the floor, and give them consistent effort at the 5 without draining the offense.

Ayton would be surrounded by veterans and structure. He wouldn’t be the focal point, but he’d be expected to produce. This might be his best shot to prove he can contribute to a winning team without being the center of attention.

Photo Via Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Final Word

Deandre Ayton isn’t done—but this is the turning point.

He’s no longer a max-contract cornerstone. That label’s gone. But there’s still value in what he does well—size, scoring touch, rebounding—and several teams could use exactly that without asking him to do too much.

Lakers give him spotlight. Miami gives him structure. Indiana offers stability. Brooklyn gives him a runway. Milwaukee could hand him a starting role.

This is the first time Ayton gets to choose his next step with no contract baggage attached. Wherever he lands, the pressure will be on him—not the system—to make it work.

And honestly? That might be the best thing for him.

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