The veteran center instantly becomes a surprise addition to a free agent market thinned by reported re-signings. The 26-year-old big man is coming off arguably the poorest season of his career, tying a career low in scoring (14.4 ppg) while playing in just 40 games with Portland last season.

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to buy out the final year of center Deandre Ayton ’s contract, making him a free agent, an NBA source has confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Troubling DeAndre Ayton news amid Lakers' interest in free agency following his release from the Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game across 45 appearances last season with Qingdao.

The Portland Trail Blazers not only got their man in Yang Hansen in the 2025 NBA Draft, they did so while gaining future assets.

Clyde the Glide spent 12 of his 16 seasons in Portland with eight All-Star appearances. He got better with age, though, and turned in the best season of his NBA career in his ninth season. Drexler not only earned First-Team All-NBA honors, but he finished as the MVP runner-up behind Michael Jordan.