Shams: Blazers Buyout Deandre Ayton

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

With the expected Ayton addition the Lakers likely projected lineup with minimal effort:

PG: Luka/CP3
SG: Reeves/Vincent
SF: Lebron/Knecht/Thiero
PF: Rui/Vando
C: Ayton/Hayes

That’s still a play-in team.


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I find it hard to believe that the Lakers will go from a 3rd seed to a play-in team especially with a full year of Luka and them addressing one of their biggest issues by signing Ayton.

[sashaturiaf]

Yawn. Rigging couldn't stop a Pacers Thunders snoozefest finals so here comes Adam Silver to say "rig harder, Ayton on the Lakers seems pretty good, how do we get him there?"

"Yes"

[JustLucky]

why are expiring contracts from playable players getting bought out. Maybe he gave up alot?

[sashaturiaf]

why are expiring contracts from playable players getting bought out. Maybe he gave up alot?

Ayton has a prearranged deal to sign with a team run by Klutch sports to save the Blazers some money. Blazers get apron relief, in then they take the big Chinese guy at 16 as a favor to Klutch.

Yes the NBA is more business than sports now

[Wingy]

Ayton no sunshine when he’s goooooonne!!!

Still cloudy in the PNW when he's away.

Ayton no sunshine when he’s goooooonne!!

And he's always signed too long….

Anytime he's paid, oyy vayyyyy!!

[Bornstellar]

With the expected Ayton addition the Lakers likely projected lineup with minimal effort:

PG: Luka/CP3
SG: Reeves/Vincent
SF: Lebron/Knecht/Thiero
PF: Rui/Vando
C: Ayton/Hayes

That’s still a play-in team.


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Yeah, still looks pretty underwhelming especially on defense. Need to shore up their F spots and their bench

[Tottery]

If he were to end up a Laker, that's better than what they were going to get. Luka needs a lob threat and Ayton can do that, but his motor isn't great.

[2weekswithpay]

Read on Twitter

[JustBuzzin]

If he were to end up a Laker, that's better than what they were going to get. Luka needs a lob threat and Ayton can do that, but his motor isn't great.

Both Ayton and Luka are known for quitting on defense. I think that relationship will drive JJ crazy and I didn't even mention LeBron who's also known to take plays off on defense lol

[FOB]

OK, so you're ruling out that he goes to the Lakers. Noted, I'll be back here when they sign him. Will you?

Bro if he goes to the Lakers it has nothing to do with some conspiracy to help LeBron since it was just shown there’s no connection to Klutch. Not everything is a conspiracy. And the Lakers don’t have access to the MLE unless they let go of DFS or make some trades. This is Deandre Ayton we’re talking about there’s no incentive for the Blazers to help out the Lakers.

Exactly, so if he goes to the Lakers it proves the conspiracy was right.

Of course, because there could be NO other reason to go to the Lakers other than it being rigged. Not the city, the franchise, the media attention, playing with Luka and Lebron. Nope. Ayton would NEVER go to LA if it was up to him, he'd much rather join the soaring Hornets on their quest for yet another championship. No, it MUST. BE. RIGGED.

What makes this especially sad is that it's coming from a Lakers fan - do you really think you franchise is such a dump that players would only join because of some great conspiracy?

[Dominator83]

No it doesn’t. There’s no connection to Klutch. Do you understand that you’re wrong?

There doesn't need to be a connection to Klutch in order for there to be a conspiracy.

That said, I don't think there's cause to think that the Blazers are looking to help out the Lakers in return for a favour of some type. No reason to think this is a conspiracy in the making. However, if Ayton signs with the Lakers AND the Blazers move up in the 2026 lottery then the conspiracy theories will be brought up again.

There’s no conspiracy. This is no different than any other team waiving a player they couldn’t trade. Even if the Blazers move up in the draft, that’s the randomness of the draft. You think the NBA is stepping in to compensate a team losing Deandre **** Ayton of all players?

Yea on one hand, it seems awfully convenient that the Lakers biggest need is at center, and then poof, all of a sudden Ayton unexpectedly becomes a free agent. Just too convenient man. But, as sexy as he looks on paper, does he make a winning impact? I kinda feel like impact-wise, is he any different than Vucevic? One noticeable difference is, Vuc actually enjoys basketball and rarely misses games. lol

I honestly think a better fit for what they need is Capala

[JustLucky]

so if he gave up 10 million. to me that means he has a deal already worked out for 10 million plus. players dont agree to buyouts without talking to other teams first. (with permission)

[Michael Jackson]

There doesn't need to be a connection to Klutch in order for there to be a conspiracy.

That said, I don't think there's cause to think that the Blazers are looking to help out the Lakers in return for a favour of some type. No reason to think this is a conspiracy in the making. However, if Ayton signs with the Lakers AND the Blazers move up in the 2026 lottery then the conspiracy theories will be brought up again.

There’s no conspiracy. This is no different than any other team waiving a player they couldn’t trade. Even if the Blazers move up in the draft, that’s the randomness of the draft. You think the NBA is stepping in to compensate a team losing Deandre **** Ayton of all players?

Yea on one hand, it seems awfully convenient that the Lakers biggest need is at center, and then poof, all of a sudden Ayton unexpectedly becomes a free agent. Just too convenient man. But, as sexy as he looks on paper, does he make a winning impact? I kinda feel like impact-wise, is he any different than Vucevic? One noticeable difference is, Vuc actually enjoys basketball and rarely misses games. lol

I honestly think a better fit for what they need is Capala

Vuc isn't as good at COD as Ayton.

Truth of it though is they simply can't get Vuc under the cap and ayton they potentially could, but lets see how this shakes out.

[Beethoven]

Oh please...do not come near Lakers.

[JRoy]

Yawn. Rigging couldn't stop a Pacers Thunders snoozefest finals so here comes Adam Silver to say "rig harder, Ayton on the Lakers seems pretty good, how do we get him there?"

"Yes"

The Finals were great.

No LeBron, no Superfriends, no LAL.

[Tottery]

If he were to end up a Laker, that's better than what they were going to get. Luka needs a lob threat and Ayton can do that, but his motor isn't great.

Both Ayton and Luka are known for quitting on defense. I think that relationship will drive JJ crazy and I didn't even mention LeBron who's also known to take plays off on defense lol

I aint disagreeing with you on the defensive end. Could be a wreck.

[BlazersBroncos]

Amount he gave up is just enough to open full MLE for Portland FWIW.

[og15]

so if he gave up 10 million. to me that means he has a deal already worked out for 10 million plus. players dont agree to buyouts without talking to other teams first. (with permission)

If he can't get $10 million on the market, that would just be sad. Basically his agent would suggest he give up the minimum amount that he could get on the market (we all know teams salary situations and what they need), because he knows he can get that, and maybe more back.

If Ayton is unable to get $4M less than the MLE (which is $14M) on the market as a healthy mid 20's C who has nice physical tools, even with his motor and motivation flaws, that's actually very sad.

[Dominator83]

If he were to end up a Laker, that's better than what they were going to get. Luka needs a lob threat and Ayton can do that, but his motor isn't great.

Both Ayton and Luka are known for quitting on defense. I think that relationship will drive JJ crazy and I didn't even mention LeBron who's also known to take plays off on defense lol

Atleast Lebron has an excuse... hes old

[LakersSoul]

Waiting for Wednesday and Aytonbyo clear waivers and sign with Lakers.

Then trade for Richards.