The Trail Blazers have been playing beyond expectations thus far this season in the Western Conference. The fans are now clamoring for a Deandre Ayton trade because of rookie Donovan Clingan’s play.
The Top Ayton Trade Destinations: Deandre Ayton’s Next Chapter
Rookie center Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III have helped to made the Portland Trail Blazers fun. Portland’s current center rotation came because Ayton is nursing a right index finger injury.
The Trail Blazers have struggled to maximize Ayton, because he has been a mixed bag for the past year. Without Ayton, Clingan took over as the starting center and has performed admirably despite being a rookie. Portland had a 4-2 record over their last six games, all without Ayton, which has sparked the trade rumors.
The Problem with a Deandre Ayton Blazers Trade
Ayton is a good player, but his massive contract is a problem. He is earning $34 million for the 2024-25 season and $35.5 million in the following campaign. Portland will struggle in a trade, especially when teams recognize the Blazers rebuild, and their desperation to part ways.
Deandre Ayton is averaging career-lows in points, minutes and scoring efficiency for the Trail Blazers:
13.3 points
10.5 rebounds
0.5 blocks
29.3 minutes
54.3 TS%With the continued emergence of Donovan Clingan, have to wonder if Ayton soon becomes a trade chip for Portland. pic.twitter.com/x5QgBuLLgo
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 12, 2024
A Williams trade is possible because they can commit to starting Ayton, while Clingan develops off the bench. The rookie has been stellar but is still adjusting to the heavy playing time. Portland can stagger their minutes, but a full commitment to Clingan as the full-time center is the favorable choice.
Ayton’s Potential Landing Spots
Ayton is far from an untradable player because he would still help any team that needs a center. He can crash the boards and be a reliable scorer in the mid-range and the post. Portland will struggle in the Ayton trade market to find a suitable team. However, here are the teams that could look to trade for Ayton.
New Orleans Pelicans
No team has suffered as much as the Pelicans in the 2024-25 season due to their near-endless struggle with injuries. New Orleans has the Western Conference’s worst record in the league at 4-14. An issue they have faced is the need for an experienced center. Yves Missi has done well in his first NBA season, but Ayton could settle in as the long-term center.
This trade potentially involves Brandon Ingram because he looks like the most viable piece. The Pelicans will not give up Zion Williamson with this deal, while Trey Murphy III transitions into the starting lineup, and likely wouldn’t be included either. That won’t be the last stop for Ingram because Portland can move him again as they did with Jrue Holiday.
Ayton provides the floor spacing with his reliability as a solid mid-range shooter. He has also grown as a three-point shooter in the 2024-25 season, making 38.5% albeit on just 1.2 attempts a game. Deandre’s career average of 10.5 rebounds per game will remedy the Pelicans’ rebounding woes.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been good to start the 2024-25 season under JJ Redick with a 10-6 record. Anthony Davis is playing like an MVP candidate, averaging 30.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Despite his superstar season, many fans believe pairing him with a center is still the way to go.
Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas is the rumored target, but an Ayton trade might be better. He is a solid rebounder and can stretch the floor enough for Davis to dominate the paint with his length.
LeBron James can also help maximize Ayton’s natural abilities with his playmaking. Deandre might have had a messy relationship with Chris Paul, but they had genuine chemistry during their time together. The Lakers may also target Williams III because of his energy and defensive versatility.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have stumbled to an 8-10 start, which is disappointing after an Eastern Conference Finals run. A losing record after almost 20 games could signal a change, which could be a Deandre Ayton trade. Considering the Pacers tried to sign D.A. in 2022, this could still be a viable move for both sides.
Indiana fans love Myles Turner because he has been with the team since 2015. However, some fans have grown tired of him and are looking for a deal to send him away. Ayton is a natural center replacement and a potential pick-and-roll partner for All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Deandre is also a decent defender who fits well alongside Pascal Siakam in the frontcourt.
Turner will go to Portland, who would likely trade him because Myles is in the final year of his contract. However, they could also let his deal expire, and then let him test the free agency market in 2025.
The Blazers’ Rebuild is Progressing Well
With the Ayton trade rumors floating around the team, fans believe Clingan is the long-term center. He has been superb in his rookie season, ranking third in the league in blocks per game. Donovan has swatted away 37 shots, right behind prolific defender Brook Lopez.
20yo Donovan Clingan is a towering presence around the rim…
7’2, 7’7 wingspan, 280lbs. Has excellent timing and patience when contesting shots in the paint. It’s really hard to score on guys who are gigantic & coordinated. Will likely be an analytics darling for many years. pic.twitter.com/lwjQ7sywGc
— NBA University (@NBA_University) November 17, 2024
With Shaedon Sharpe developing into a star player, the future is bright. As for Scoot Henderson, the young point guard has questionable performances, but the untapped potential is there. The Blazers might move Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant, but Portland can finally commit to the rebuild.
