Deandre Ayton Can Finally Become The Player He Wants To Be

The Damian Lillard trade saga is finally over, with the All-NBA point guard now a Milwaukee Buck after months of speculation.

In the blockbuster trade was Deandre Ayton, going from Phoenix to Portland, which is going to glossed over in the coming days due to name and media frenzy of Lillard.

However, Ayton now has a chance of realizing his vast potential, which made him the number one selection in the 2018 NBA Draft. The 6’11 center spent last year primarily as a third and fourth option offensively, and still managed to collect an average of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while functioning as the team’s defensive anchor.

Now in Portland, Ayton will get what he never had: A proper chance at carving out his own future. During his stay in Phoenix, the center was often a connective piece to players already on the roster, as well as newer incoming players, which didn’t afford him a chance to spread his wings and discover his own game.

That will all chance in Portland, as the 25-year-old will be a featured offensive player, allowing rookie Scoot Henderson, and an otherwise untested roster, to develop at their own pace.

Ayton will now attempt to spend the next year, and likely more, cementing himself as a major two-way force within the NBA, and then be ready for the development of Henderson, and others, to take hold. It’s not a bad situation for a player who’s been lacking opportunities for several years.

Furthermore, Ayton’s age isn’t so advanced that he can’t be a part of Portland’s youth movement, although that could become an issue in about 6-7 years when he’s in his 30’s. But that’s a long time away still, and realistically, Ayton and Henderson should overlap within their prime years.

Henderson, the rookie point guard chosen third overall in this year’s draft, is understandably eager to prove himself, and one way point guards prove themselves is by showcasing their playmaking capabilities. With Ayton’s combination of size, skill, and athleticism, he’s projected to be a frequent target for Henderson, particularly in pick and rolls situations.

As for Ayton, who is entering his second year of a $132.9 million max contract, he should be more than willing to lean into his offense, as opposed to being an afterthought on that end of the floor.

It could take a few months for Ayton to get fully comfortable with a larger shot burden, but that’s common for players experiencing both a move and a role change. No longer will he have to settle for opportunistic scoring chances – although he should still very much take advantage of those – but instead he’ll be more involved as an interior presence.

It remains to be seen whether or not Ayton will be used as a traditional back to the basket center, or as more of a face-up player, but regardless it’ll mean more shots, and a new future for the big man.

Both he, and the Blazers, are hoping the fresh start turns into a long and stable marriage.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.