Deandre Ayton was on the hot seat in Portland after the Trail Blazers invested consecutive first-round picks at the center position, signaling that the franchise didn't view him as the long-term starting solution. The Blazers and Ayton parted ways this offseason, reaching a contract buyout in late June.
Ayton agreed to forfeit $10 million of his remaining $35.6 million salary with the Blazers. While that was financially beneficial, the primary motivation behind this decision from Portland's standpoint was to clear a starting role and minutes for Donovan Clingan. He's already justifying that decision, showing improvements across the board in Year 2.