The Portland Trail Blazers exercised guard Rayan Rupert's club option for the 2025-26 season, and NBA insider John Hollinger believes he could take over the Mat

Jason McIntyre doesn't feel that calling Deandre Ayton one of the best bigs in the NBA is that much of a stretch.

ESPN's Kendrick Perkins disagrees with the notion that the newly signed Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton struggled during his tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers because he was a winning player put in a losing situation.

With Deandre Ayton expected to be bought out by the Portland Trailblazers, here are three teams that would be an ideal fit for the seven-year big man’s services.

Ayton, 26, was set to earn $35.6 million in the final year of his contract. He'll become an unrestricted free agent after he clears waivers on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton said that criticism of him "fuels me" as he spoke with reporters during his introductory press conference on Tuesday (h/t Khobi Price of So Cal News Group).

The Portland Trail Blazers will save roughly $10 million after buying out the contract of center Deandre Ayton. But don’t expect that to lead to a frenzy of free agent spending.

Deandre Ayton will be looking for a new team. Ayton and the Trail Blazers are finalizing a contract buyout in a surprise move, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported late Sunday night. The move comes following a season in which the 26-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 56.6 percent from the field.

According to a report by Jason Quick, Deandre Ayton’s behavior off the court played a major role in the Blazers' decision to part ways.