The Golden State Warriors have officially entered the Deandre Ayton sweepstakes—and they’re not just in the mix. They’re the favorites.
According to betting odds from Bovada, the Warriors are listed at +235 to sign Ayton following his sudden buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers. They’re ahead of the Lakers (+350), Suns (+400), and Raptors (+450) in the race for the former No. 1 overall pick.
The Warriors are the favorites to land Deandre Ayton, per @BovadaOfficial
Golden State Warriors +235
Los Angeles Lakers +350
Phoenix Suns +400
Toronto Raptors +450
Ayton Becomes Free Agent After Surprise Buyout
Ayton’s availability caught the league off guard. On Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Ayton and the Blazers were finalizing a contract buyout, making the 26-year-old center an unrestricted free agent.
It’s a fresh start for Ayton, who had struggled to find his footing in Portland’s crowded frontcourt. Shams noted the move gives him a chance at a “fresh opportunity” elsewhere—perhaps with a playoff-caliber team like Golden State.
Sudden addition to the free-agent market. This gives Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who went to the NBA Finals with the Suns, the chance to receive a fresh opportunity as the Trail Blazers build around their depth of young centers. https://t.co/JlaQzrnI0N
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Warriors Could Roll the Dice on Talent
Golden State isn’t exactly known for adapting to traditional big men. Under Steve Kerr, the Warriors have thrived with movement-heavy, pass-first systems that reward IQ over isolation.
But the 2024–25 season exposed cracks in the foundation. Draymond Green remains the heartbeat of Golden State’s defense—but at 35, asking him to play small-ball 5 full-time takes a toll. It wears him down. It invites injury.
Adding Ayton wouldn’t just fill a positional need. It would protect Green. Let him pick his spots. Conserve his energy. And in doing so, extend the life of the Warriors’ core.
Ayton may not fit the mold of a classic Warriors big, but he brings something Golden State hasn’t had in years: a physically gifted center who could grow into the system.
Fit With Curry & Butler?
Ayton’s ability to command attention inside could create space for Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler—Golden State’s new Batman and Robin, who powered the team to the second round last season.
No, Ayton isn’t a classic read-and-react big. But at 26, he still has room to grow. And during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run, he showed flashes of the kind of connector the Warriors have long valued.
In other words: it just might work.
