Report: Blazers Could Trade Deandre Ayton

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Portland Trail Blazers could trade Deandre Ayton.

The Blazers drafted Donovan Clingan with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

“At some point, the Blazers and Ayton are expected to part ways, sources said, yet the former first overall pick doesn’t command a market at this time,” Siegel reported. “Ayton, who is in the third year of his four-year contract, will be making $34 million this upcoming year. He will make $35.5 million during the 2025-26 season, which is the final year of his contract with Portland. The Blazers still value Ayton as one of the veteran leaders of the team, sources said, which is why it is unlikely they will push for a trade involving the center right now.”

Ayton averaged 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks for the Blazers in 2023-24 while shooting 57.0% from the field and 82.3% from the foul line. The big man had 32 double-doubles. 

The Blazers acquired Ayton from the Phoenix Suns last offseason. Ayton has career averages of 16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks with the Suns and Blazers. He was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

“Ayton, who will be making $34 million this season and then $35.5 million during the 2025-26 season, wouldn’t necessarily be a positive asset for playoff-contending teams to target due to the tax implications that would come with acquiring him,” Siegel wrote. “Not to mention, Ayton is more of a traditional big man who tends to play in the paint and does not possess much of a perimeter game.”

The Blazers went only 21-61 this past season. The franchise is in rebuild mode in the post-Damian Lillard era. 

Along with Ayton, Portland could trade Robert Williams III, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons in the future.

The Blazers want to build around Clingan, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.