As the NBA Draft approached, speculation swirled around the Portland Trail Blazers potentially selecting Carter Bryant, which would have increased their roster of former Arizona Wildcats. Ultimately, the Blazers chose a different player but later signed Caleb Love to a two-way contract as a rookie free agent.
However, it appears that Caleb Love might be the only former University of Arizona player on the Blazers’ roster for the 2025-26 season. NBA insider Shams Charania has disclosed that center Deandre Ayton, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, is in the process of finalizing a contract buyout with the team, paving the way for him to enter free agency.
Currently, Ayton has a substantial contract still owed to him, amounting to $35.5 million, which represents the last year of a four-year, $132.9 million deal he initially signed with the Phoenix Suns. After being traded to Portland in a three-team deal involving the Bucks, Ayton’s tenure with the Blazers has been less than fruitful. Over the last two seasons, he has participated in only 95 games, recording career lows of 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, while also achieving a shooting percentage of just 56.6 percent.
The Blazers appear to be shifting their focus towards rebuilding, with plans to center their lineup around rookie center Donovan Clingan, who started in 37 games last season, and other emerging big men.
Ayton, who enjoyed a standout season at Arizona, earning the Pac-12 Player of the Year title in 2017-18 by averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds, often finds his college career overshadowed by a past controversy involving alleged payments from then-coach Sean Miller, which remains unproven.
The release of Ayton represents a significant shift for the Blazers as they look to construct a younger, more dynamic team moving forward, while Ayton may find a new opportunity to revitalize his career elsewhere.