Former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton posted a heartfelt message to Rip City on his Instagram page Wednesday after news broke that he had signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally found their starting center in Deandre Ayton. The former No. 1 overall pick signed with L.A. on a two-year contract as a free agent after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Deandre Ayton will be looking for a new team. Ayton and the Trail Blazers are finalizing a contract buyout in a surprise move, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported late Sunday night. The move comes following a season in which the 26-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 56.6 percent from the field.

Deandre Ayton shares an emotional message on Instagram by thanking his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers.

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There are more than depth chart issues behind the Trail Blazers cutting ties with Deandre Ayton. The former first overall pick in 2018 by the Suns now has to find a new team after being bought out of his contract with Portland on Monday.

Trail Blazers Buy Out Center Deandre Ayton, Clearing Way for Lakers Deal originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

Now, Ayton is out for at least a month with a calf strain, the Trail Blazers announced. The left calf injury happened in Portland’s game against Denver on Monday night. Ayton’s injury, a sprained ankle to Scoot Henders (who also had been on a roll), plus a couple of tough losses have dampened the postseason enthusiasm in Portland.

Deandre Ayton, who was drafted by the Suns with the first pick of the 2018 Draft and played his first five season in Phoenix, had a monster night versus his former team lead the Trail Blazers to a ...