Deandre Ayton reportedly dealt as part of blockbuster Damian Lillard trade

Deandre Ayton has been traded to the Portland Trailblazers, according to a report.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to share that news on Wednesday. Ayton is being dealt as part of a 3-team deal with the Blazers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Blazers icon Damian Lillard is being traded to the Bucks in the deal, according to Wojnarowski.

Lillard goes Milwaukee as part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers. Phoenix lands Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. https://t.co/Ge0H91AiIA

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023

This ends Ayton’s 5-year run with the Phoenix Suns. The former No. 1 overall pick had an up-and-down tenure with the Suns that included a NBA Finals appearance as well as multiple disappointing playoff exits.

Ayton now joins a Portland team that figures to be rebuilding in 2023-24. The Blazers have drafted talented guards such as Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson over the past 2 seasons. Ayton, 25, is theoretically a perfect addition to Portland’s core of young talent.

Ayton is entering his 6th season in the NBA. So far in his NBA career, he’s averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.