This NBA offseason has been pretty exciting for Deandre Ayton, like the rest of us. His team, the Portland Trail Blazers, announced a contract buyout for the center that was finalized on Sunday night.
Ayton, who was originally under contract for $35.6 million in what would have been his final year with the team, has hit the free agency. However, he recently opened up about what kind of team he would like to land in.
According to top NBA insider Shams Charania, Ayton “wants to play in a winning situation.”
Obviously, any player who has a chance to move on from his last team would look for a team where he can win a championship.
Deandre Ayton wants to play in a winning situation, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/YvlHjEQ9hI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2025
But NBA fans on social media are reading between the lines. According to their speculation, the former Trail Blazers star would sign for the Los Angeles Lakers.
There are a few things that could make this deal interesting. With the buyout, the 26-year-old Ayton is now able to sign with any team, even those that exceed the salary cap limit.
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While the Lakers are aggressively hunting for a prominent center, Deandre alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James could be exciting. I’m just saying.
NBA Fans Convinced Deandre Ayton Would Land In Lakers
While pairing him with the Lakers is giving the LA fans butterflies, Deandre Ayton’s future, however, remains uncertain. There’s another team, the Boston Celtics, that is getting linked to him. But that doesn’t bother the Lakers fans to go sure on him landing in Hollywood.
“Lakers is the place to be,” a fan commented.
Lakers is the place to be
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) June 30, 2025
“Winning situation” just for Adam Silver to force him to sign with the Lakers,” another fan wrote.
“Winning situation” just for Adam silver to force him to sign with the lakers 💀
— Mikey CoinSnatch (@MikeyCoinSnatch) June 30, 2025
“Obviously means Rui is traded by the Lakers,” a third fan added.
Obviously means rui is traded by the lakers
— Jason (@jason23lake) June 30, 2025
“It sounds like he’ll be choosing between the Lakers and Warriors then with the Hawks being a wildcard,” a fourth fan said.
It sounds like he’ll be choosing between the Lakers and Warriors then with the Hawks being a wildcard
— ᴄʜᴀsᴇ (@BolieveInNix) June 30, 2025
“We went from LeBron “The Decision” Free Agency to DeAndre Ayton being the main Free Agent.. game is gone,” a fifth fan quipped.
We went from LeBron "The Decision" Free Agency to DeAndre Ayton being the main Free Agent.. game is gone
— 77 👑 (@7ixers) June 30, 2025
“LAKERRRRRRRRRRRR,” another one added.
LAKERRRRRRRRRRRR
— 👑🐐 (@LukaToBron) June 30, 2025
We’ll wait to see what the offseason storyline brings up for the former Trail Blazer. Until then, let’s hope the Lakers find the center they deserve, either in Ayton or in someone else.
Also Read: Luka Doncic Using Dallas Mavericks Fallout As Fuel In Intense Offseason Commitment
