The news hit phoenix Suns fans with a familiar sting: Deandre ayton, the team’s solitary number one overall draft pick, has signed with the Los Angeles lakers. This isn’t just any team; it’s a direct division rival. Ayton now joins LeBron James and fellow 2018 draft classmate Luka Doncic in purple and gold. The move marks a significant chapter turn for both the player and the franchise that once pinned its highest hopes on him. It represents the conclusion of a complex relationship that began with immense promise. For many Suns faithful, seeing their former “Chosen One” land with the Lakers is a difficult pill to swallow.
From Phoenix Promise to Portland Problem
The Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. This was a historic moment, as he remains the only number one pick in the franchise’s 58-year history. The anticipation was immense. Ayton, a dominant center from the University of Arizona, felt like a perfect fit. He possessed tantalizing raw tools: size, touch, and a frame built to anchor a defense. Many envisioned him as the ideal partner for Devin Booker, the Shaq to Booker’s Kobe. The Suns chose him ahead of other highly-touted prospects like Luka Doncic and Trae Young. The belief was strong; he was a local product with the potential to be a foundational piece for years.
However, the initial promise began to show cracks. While Ayton’s statistics often looked solid, observers noted perceived inconsistencies. Concerns arose regarding his motor, effort, basketball IQ, and mental toughness. Missed rotations and fumbled rebounds became frustratingly common. There were games where he appeared disengaged. It wasn’t every night, but it happened often enough to raise questions.
There were undeniable flashes of brilliance, too. The 2021 playoff run showcased the best version of Ayton. He was aggressive, decisive, and dominant on both ends. These moments offered glimpses of the superstar he was projected to be. Yet, these peaks were often followed by valleys. A team with championship aspirations ultimately decided it needed more consistency and intensity from its starting center. This led to a significant roster change.
In the summer following the 2023-24 season, Deandre Ayton was traded. He was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the multi-team deal that primarily involved Damian Lillard. For many Suns fans, the return felt underwhelming. Ayton, the former number one pick, was exchanged for Jusuf Nurkic and what were widely seen as spare parts. The trade felt less like a strategic blockbuster and more like a clearance sale, diminishing the value once placed on the top selection.
The Oregon Detour and Bitter Buyout
Deandre Ayton’s tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers was brief. He played just two seasons after being acquired from Phoenix. His time there didn’t replicate the hoped-for resurgence. Despite moments where his talent was evident, the persistent questions surrounding his approach continued to linger.
Ultimately, Portland decided to move on. This past Monday, the Trail Blazers opted to buy out Ayton’s contract. The decision came with a significant financial cost. Reports indicated Portland paid approximately $25 million to part ways with him. The reasons cited for the buyout, according to reports, painted a challenging picture. Issues included tardiness to team flights and practices. Skipping rehabilitation appointments was also mentioned. There were instances of visible frustration, like slamming chairs when substituted. Team sources reportedly described tantrums in the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort. This challenging behavior profile contributed to Portland’s decision that paying him to leave was preferable to keeping him.
Landing with the Lakers: A Rivalry Renewed
Now, Deandre Ayton finds himself back in the Pacific Division. He has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. This move immediately adds another layer of intensity to the Suns-Lakers rivalry. The Lakers needed a center, and they secured Ayton for the remaining $9 million of their mid-level exception. This brings Ayton to his third NBA team, entering his eighth season.
His new teammates include future Hall of Famer LeBron James. Perhaps more notably, Ayton will now play alongside Luka Doncic. This pairing is particularly resonant for Suns fans. Ayton was famously drafted number one overall ahead of Doncic in 2018. Seeing the two players who will forever be linked by that draft decision now playing on the same team, and that team being a primary rival, adds a unique historical footnote to the situation. The Lakers had previously acquired Doncic and Mark Williams in a significant trade earlier in 2025, signaling their intent to build around a new core. Adding Ayton further solidifies their frontcourt. The question for the Lakers is whether they acquired discounted high-talent or a high-maintenance risk.
The Narrative for Suns Fans
For Phoenix Suns fans, Ayton joining the Lakers runs deeper than just a player changing teams. He was drafted as the potential centerpiece. The vision was for him to grow with Devin Booker and lead the franchise for years. That dream didn’t materialize. The disappointment of his inconsistent tenure and the perceived poor return in his trade already left a sour taste. Now, he is in the uniform of one of the Suns’ most significant adversaries.
There’s a strong expectation that Ayton will be highly motivated when facing the Suns. Matches against his former team are often emotionally charged for players. One can anticipate him playing with extra energy, perhaps seeking to prove that Phoenix was wrong about him. Aggressive dunks and passionate displays of swagger seem likely. This narrative positions Ayton not just as a former player but as a potential villain in the ongoing rivalry.
Suns’ Broader Roster Landscape in July 2025
Deandre Ayton’s move to the Lakers occurs during a busy period for the Phoenix Suns organization overall. The team is navigating a significant roster transition under new general manager Brian Gregory. This phase is framed as the next step in the rebuild initiated after the Kevin Durant trade. The Suns are operating under tight financial constraints, specifically limited by the second apron of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
As free agency began, the Suns were involved in various other roster decisions. A major, league-record seven-team trade involving Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets was pending officialization. This complex deal potentially impacted other moves. The Suns also made smaller roster adjustments. They guaranteed center Nick Richards’ $5 million salary for the upcoming season. Richards has reportedly drawn trade interest from teams like the Knicks, Pacers, and surprisingly, the Lakers. However, the Suns seem reluctant to move him without a significant return, especially since his salary doesn’t help them avoid the second apron.
Other moves included tendering a two-way offer and then signing point guard Collin Gillespie to a guaranteed one-year deal, likely at the veteran minimum. This signing reportedly made a potential Chris Paul reunion less probable, with focus possibly shifting to adding a long, athletic wing instead. The Suns also declined the $8.7 million team option for forward Cody Martin, providing some financial relief but still leaving them above the second apron threshold. They added EuroLeague champion and MVP Nigel Hayes-Davis on a fully guaranteed one-year deal, adding a veteran wing presence. Even Jusuf Nurkic, the player acquired in the Ayton trade, was later traded by the Suns for a first-round pick earlier in 2025, illustrating the continuous turnover in the frontcourt since Ayton’s departure. These concurrent moves highlight that Ayton’s situation, while emotionally significant, is just one piece of a larger, complex roster puzzle the Suns are trying to solve while constrained by their cap sheet.
Looking Ahead: Ayton vs. Phoenix Matchups
The NBA schedule release will now carry extra anticipation for Suns fans. The matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers will feature Deandre Ayton wearing the purple and gold. These games are likely to be highly charged affairs. Ayton will undoubtedly aim to perform at his best against his former team. The narrative of the former failed #1 pick seeking revenge adds a compelling storyline.
Whether Ayton significantly improves his consistency and effort in Los Angeles remains to be seen. However, history shows that players often have standout performances when facing their old teams. These matchups will test the Suns’ retooled frontcourt. They will also serve as a painful reminder of the path not taken – the vision of Ayton and Booker growing together. Instead, Suns fans will watch Ayton trying to anchor the defense for a primary competitor, solidifying his unexpected evolution from franchise cornerstone hope to cautionary tale, and potentially, a recurring antagonist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What team did Deandre Ayton sign with after the Blazers buyout?
Deandre Ayton signed with the Los Angeles Lakers after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers, a division rival of Ayton’s former team, the Phoenix Suns, signed him using $9 million from their mid-level exception. This move places Ayton on his third team, joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the Lakers roster for the upcoming season.
Why did the Portland Trail Blazers buy out Deandre Ayton’s contract?
The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Deandre Ayton’s contract after two seasons, reportedly paying him $25 million. Reasons cited in reports included issues with his conduct, such as tardiness to team activities and skipping rehabilitation appointments. Reports also mentioned visible frustration like slamming chairs and locker room tantrums, leading Portland to decide parting ways was the best option.
What is the significance of Deandre Ayton joining the Lakers for the Phoenix Suns?
For the Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton joining the Los Angeles Lakers carries significant historical and emotional weight. Ayton was the Suns’ only number one overall pick, drafted with high hopes to be a franchise cornerstone alongside Devin Booker. His inconsistent tenure and subsequent trade were disappointing for fans. Now, he joins a direct division rival, setting up highly anticipated matchups where he will likely be motivated to play well against his former team, solidifying a narrative shift from “Chosen One” to potential “villain.”
Conclusion
Deandre Ayton’s journey from the Phoenix Suns’ hopeful #1 pick to a division rival’s starting center with the Los Angeles Lakers is a narrative filled with dashed expectations and unexpected turns. Once envisioned as a foundational piece, his inconsistent tenure led to a trade that felt anticlimactic, followed by a challenging stint in Portland culminating in a buyout. Now, wearing the purple and gold, Ayton is poised to add a significant layer of intrigue to the Suns-Lakers rivalry. For Suns fans, it’s a difficult full circle moment, watching the player who represented so much potential now lining up against them. The future matchups will undoubtedly be appointment viewing, fueled by history, rivalry, and Ayton’s motivation to prove his former team wrong.
