Deandre Ayton's injury could force dramatic shift that is long overdue for Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a left calf strain. That's a significant loss for Portland, as Ayton was a key factor in their improved play. The two silver linings to this unfortunate injury are that it came right before the All-Star break and that it allows No. 7 overall pick Donovan Clingan to thrive in an increased role.

Clingan had two of the best games of his young career in Ayton's absence. He followed up a 21-point, seven-rebound performance with 17 points, 20 rebounds, and three blocks.

In their last game with Ayton and Robert Williams III (knee soreness) both being out, Clingan recorded 31 minutes, tied for a career-high. The last time he had that much of an opportunity came on Nov. 13 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Clingan had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks!?

Starting Donovan Clingan full-time is the Blazers' inevitable next step

Clingan has elite per-36 numbers, ranking top two in rebounds and blocks. There was never any doubt about his impact in limited stretches. The bigger question was whether he could maintain that efficiency with increased minutes.

There are valid concerns surrounding Clingan's conditioning -- in his sophomore season at UConn, he only averaged 22.5 minutes. Because of this, the Blazers will likely keep him in that 20-30-minute range while Ayton remains out, assuming that Williams is healthy by their next game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 20.

There was previously buzz about Chauncey Billups potentially experimenting with a two-big lineup featuring both Ayton and Clingan. However, the hype around their three-point shooting was overblown -- Ayton is shooting just 18.8 percent from deep, while Clingan sits at 30.4 percent.

Clingan has good shooting form and may take the Brook Lopez route as someone who develops his shot and becomes a valuable modern-day center with his ability to protect the paint on defense and stretch the floor on offense. But so far, he's attempting just 0.6 threes per game.

Clingan has always been impactful when he's on the floor, but he hasn't found consistent minutes in a crowded center rotation. Joe Cronin should have addressed that logjam at the deadline to clear a path for Clingan. Regardless, now Clingan finally has the opportunity he needed all along -- unfortunately, at Ayton's expense.

If Clingan's recent stretch tells us anything, it's that Ayton is expendable this summer. We've been pushing for Clingan to get an increased role all season, and lately, he's shown why he deserves one.