Deandre Ayton’s Next Destination Shocker: Which Team Is Suddenly the Front-Runner?

Deandre Ayton’s on the move again, and honestly, it’s got me thinking—where does a former No. 1 overall pick find his groove when the NBA landscape keeps shifting beneath his feet? Fresh off a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton’s next chapter is wide open, and the betting odds are already swirling. The Golden State Warriors are favored to snag him, but the Lakers, Suns, and Raptors aren’t far behind. With a decent stat line and a contract that still carries some weight, Ayton’s departure from Portland—where roster congestion squeezed him out—feels like a moment ripe for reinvention. Can he reclaim that star promise from his early Suns days, or is this another detour in a career that’s seen its fair share of bumps? Whatever happens next, one thing’s certain: this basketball nomad’s journey is far from over, and it’s about to get intriguing.

On Sunday, it was announced that Deandre Ayton and the Portland Trail Blazers were finalizing a contract buyout, meaning he would become a free agent and be able to find a new home in the league.

Ayton will have a few options, so where will he end up?

According to Bovada, per Jimmy Butler Muse on X, the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to land Ayton.

They hold +235 odds, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers with +350, the Phoenix Suns with +400, and the Toronto Raptors with +450.

The Warriors are the favorites to land Deandre Ayton, per @BovadaOfficial

Golden State Warriors +235
Los Angeles Lakers +350
Phoenix Suns +400
Toronto Raptors +450 pic.twitter.com/7Ii1LkEK2o

— Jimmy Butler Muse (@ButlerlllMuse) June 30, 2025

Ayton is 27 years old and had a bit more than $35 million left on his contract, which is set to expire next summer.

He came to Portland in 2023 and showed some flashes of brilliance again.

But the team’s roster has become crowded, and they simply do not have room for him anymore.

Additionally, Ayton only played in 40 games for Portland last season, and they were finding an identity without him.

This move allows him to start a new chapter in his career while also freeing up a lot of salary space for Portland.

Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 2024-25, shooting 56.6 percent from the field.

All of the teams listed could use his help, and they could afford him, too.

Where would he be the best fit?

Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, but has faced some up-and-down moments in the league since the draft.

He spent his first five years with the Phoenix Suns until he was sent to Portland.

Ayton’s name has been thrust into the spotlight, and now people are wondering where he will go.

He is on the move, but where is his final destination?

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