Deandre Ayton is the highest-paid player on the Portland Trail Blazers roster in terms of annual salary, earning $34 million this season and $35.6 million next year. However, his production has dipped, and his contract doesn't align with his current impact on winning. This year, Ayton is averaging a career-low 13.8 points, along with 10.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 blocks.
With less than two weeks to go until the February 6 trade deadline, the Blazers should try to trade Ayton and find someone willing to take on his massive contract. But that's easier said than done, as there doesn't appear to be a market for the big man.
It seems the Blazers are stuck with Deandre Ayton for now
Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor joined The Ringer's Bill Simmons on The Bill Simmons Podcast, and the two discussed hypothetical trades leading up to the deadline (one of which had Anfernee Simons going to the Orlando Magic).
In the podcast, Simmons brought up the value of Ayton, asking O'Connor whether he is a trade piece. KOC responded:
"I don't think so. He's been productive but who is trading for him at $30-plus million? So many teams have fives right now. I don't think there are many teams out there who would want a five making his money, given how inconsistent he is. I don't know the team. New Orleans made sense a little bit before the season, but not so much right now. They are the only team that I really thought of before the season. At this point, I don't see something there for him."
The Pelicans were a landing spot that previously made sense for Ayton as they were a team with playoff aspirations that seemed desperate enough for a center to be willing to trade for Ayton despite his contract. But that seems to be off the table, at least for now, since New Orleans is essentially already out of playoff contention with a 12-34 record due to several injuries.
The lack of a trade market for Ayton aligns with what Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report has consistently reported. Highkin previously gave the chances of Ayton being dealt before February 6 a two out of ten, saying, "There won't be much of a market before the deadline, more likely to do a deal in the summer."
It's much more challenging for teams to make a deal of that magnitude work mid-season, as they don't have as much roster or financial flexibility. If the Blazers do trade a center before the deadline, it appears more likely to be Robert Williams III or Duop Reath rather than Ayton.