{"id":147871,"date":"2025-06-30T09:30:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T13:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=147871"},"modified":"2025-06-30T01:24:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T05:24:17","slug":"trail-blazers-commit-to-clingan-and-yang-after-ayton-buyout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/30\/trail-blazers-commit-to-clingan-and-yang-after-ayton-buyout\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail Blazers Commit To Clingan And Yang After Ayton Buyout"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Trail Blazers have pulled the trigger on committing to a young frontcourt by buying out Deandre Ayton’s<\/a> contract. He had one year left on his deal, but GM Joe Cronin and his staff are making the pivot. They are now focusing on Donovan Clingan<\/a> and Yang Hansen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trail Blazers Commit To Clingan And Yang After Ayton Buyout<\/h2>\n

The Portland Trail Blazers continue to drop bombshells in the 2025 offseason. This time, they are committing to their young centers with a Deandre Ayton contract buyout. He is a fine player, but he did not fit the Blazers’ plans, leading to the Sunday decision.<\/p>\n

Ayton would have been in the last year of his deal, but the Blazers believe in Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen. It is a resounding showcase of confidence in the pair of young centers from Cronin and the team. This is a gamble on a potential franchise center in Clingan<\/a> and a tantalizing talent like Yang<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That leaves Ayton in a bit of a limbo as a free agent. Now, teams must be chasing him, as he will be a low-risk, high-reward player. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans might be ready to scoop him up.<\/p>\n

The Ayton Buyout Means He’ll Get A Chance With Another Team<\/h3>\n

Now that Ayton is out of Portland, he will be an unrestricted free agent. Most teams felt discouraged due to his previous contract. With that deal out of the way, teams must feel better to chase Ayton’s signature.<\/p>\n

As Shams Charania reported<\/a>, Ayton and his representatives asked for the buyout; he wants to win. The Lakers feel like the most obvious choice for him, as he could benefit as Luka Doncic’s<\/a> pick-and-roll partner. However, other teams will surely be vying for his services.<\/p>\n

He could fit into any system as long as they are aware of his limitations before signing him. Ayton is not a superstar, but he is a good player. He is an underrated offensive player, especially with his reliable mid-range jump shot. As the roll man in the pick-and-roll, he proved himself when he played with Chris Paul<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Deandre Ayton in two seasons with Portland:<\/p>\n

\u2014 15.7 PPG
\u2014 10.7 RPG
\u2014 56.9 FG%<\/p>\n

Which team could use him? pic.twitter.com\/ab90MOlj7j<\/a><\/p>\n

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n