ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Deandre Ayton wanted a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers so that he could join a winning situation. Now that he has landed with the Los Angeles Lakers and two superstars, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, he'll get that opportunity.
Ayton initially came over to Portland as part of the Jusuf Nurkic deal (which should now be referred to as the Toumani Camara trade). He wanted out of Phoenix, and Portland was willing to bet on the upside of a former No. 1 overall pick, hoping he would benefit from a change of scenery.