Center Deandre Ayton has reached a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, walking away from the final $35.6 million on his contract to enter unrestricted free agency. The 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 block in 30.2 minutes over 40 games last season after two injury-interrupted years in Portland. Ayton is set to sign a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers once he clears waivers, according to multiple league reports. The Lakers introduced the 7-foot center at their practice facility on 8 July, confirming he will join a roster led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic. At his introductory news conference, Ayton said he sought the buyout to "be in a winning situation" and called playing alongside James and Doncic "an opportunity I won’t take for granted." He added that criticism of his consistency "fuels" him as he aims to help Los Angeles contend for a championship. The move shores up a frontcourt that lost Anthony Davis to free agency earlier in the off-season and gives the Lakers a proven rebounder who has averaged a double-double in each of his seven NBA seasons. For Portland, the buyout clears minutes for recent draft picks Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan as the franchise resets its roster.