PORTLAND – The Portland Trail Blazers stunned the NBA this week by confirming Deandre Ayton had been bought out of his contract, freeing the former No. 1 pick to test the market once again. As Jason Quick of The Athletic reported, Portland’s issue with Ayton went deeper than missed shots or injuries. Quick explained the franchise could accept “Ayton missing shots or his man scoring on him,” but they drew the line at his “bad ways.” According to team sources, Ayton showed up late to flights and practices, skipped rehab sessions, and let frustration explode in the locker room and on the bench. When the front office realized his presence could affect their young core, they acted.
SOURCES: Reason Why Deandre Ayton Was Bought Out
Talent Isn’t Always Enough
When Deandre Ayton was bought out of his deal, some wondered how Portland could walk away from a talented, seven-foot center on an expiring contract. But talent wasn’t the problem — professionalism was.
Ayton’s career in Portland featured just 95 games and only a handful of dominant nights. As Jason Quick noted, “Habits in the NBA are formed when players are young,” and Portland feared Ayton’s habits would spread to young big men like Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen.
Portland proved they are not afraid to invest big in the right veteran. They traded for Jrue Holiday and his hefty contract to mentor Scoot Henderson. But with Ayton, the organization decided paying him to leave was a better bet for its future.
An Old Pattern Resurfaces
Ayton’s motor being questioned isn’t new. In Phoenix, his poor effort in the 2022 playoffs led to a benching. Then a shouting match with coach Monty Williams. In Portland, coach Chauncey Billups believed he could steer Ayton in the right direction. He had done the same thing with JR Smith and Rasheed Wallace years ago. But even Billups, known for managing big personalities, found Ayton unchanged.
Ayton’s lack of self-awareness remains glaring. He once told reporters, “I’m a max (contract) player and I’ll continue to be a max player.” But his actions never matched the confidence.
The Lakers’ Interest Grows
With Deandre Ayton bought out, another franchise has emerged ready to try what Phoenix and Portland could not: the Los Angeles Lakers. Multiple reports say the Lakers are heavily interested in signing Ayton.
The Lakers believe their culture — and the weight of wearing purple and gold — could push Ayton to finally meet his potential. The franchise hopes that the lore of being great on a historic team will inspire Ayton to become the center his raw talent suggests he can be.
Of course, the Lakers would just be another team believing they can succeed where others have failed. But given the history of stars finding their best selves in Los Angeles, the optimism is understandable.
A Fresh Start for Portland
Portland, meanwhile, sets a new tone for its rebuild. The front office wants young players like Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Clingan, and Hansen to learn discipline and professionalism — traits Ayton never consistently showed.
Jason Quick summed it up best: “They can have bad plays, but not bad ways.” Deandre Ayton being bought out move proves Portland will protect its culture at any cost.
Where Ayton Goes Next
The Lakers might be Ayton’s next stop, and maybe they can unlock what others could not. He still has undeniable skills — soft midrange touch, size, and speed on the break.
But as Portland’s decision proves, none of that matters without the habits to match. Now, the ball is in the Lakers’ court to see if their storied franchise can inspire Ayton to change his ways — or repeat the same cycle again.
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