DeAndre Ayton facing make-or-break season with Trail Blazers

Deandre Ayton once showed promise as a former No. 1 overall pick, but his stock decreased after a relatively disappointing first season with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 7-foot center saw a significant dip in his performance compared to his time with the Phoenix Suns.

After averaging 18 points with the Suns in the 2022-23 season, the former Arizona Wildcat scored 16.7 points last season despite getting slightly more playing time (32.6 minutes) and increased opportunity with the Blazers. Given last season's performance and the Blazers' selection of Donovan Clingan, Ayton may eventually be the odd man out of Portland.

Blazers are overpaying for Deandre Ayton

The financial motivation to move on from Ayton is a glaring reason behind this possibility. He will be in the third year of his four-year deal worth $133 million. Ayton is set to earn $34 million for the 2024-25 season and a final $35.5 million in 2025-26. Although his first season was not impressive, he has the upcoming season to rebound.

Ayton was much better towards the end of the season and could pick up where he left off following the All-Star break. However, trading him will be an even more pressing need if he goes back to his inconsistent ways.

But which team would take a chance on Ayton and pay him the considerable money owed in his current deal? His chances of getting another lofty paycheck do not look promising unless his game dramatically changes this coming season.

Areas of improvement for Ayton

Ayton consistently puts up double-double numbers, but he needs to be more impactful on the court, not just in the box score. At times, he struggles with his motor and needs to exert more effort to show he can be a crucial piece for any team willing to take on his contract.

Besides his motor, Ayton's two areas of improvement are his three-point shooting and rim protection. For instance, modern-day centers like Myles Turner are great at stretching the floor on offense and protecting the paint on defense, which Ayton lacks.

Ayton claims that his natural position is power forward. He could play the four spot at times this season in Twin Towers lineups with Clingan at the center. But if he can't efficiently shoot from beyond the arc, the lineup will have too many spacing issues to be effective.

The bar is set incredibly high for the Bahamian big man. He will always have expectations associated with a No. 1 overall pick, but even more so given the fact that the Suns passed on Luka Doncic to take Ayton.

Now 26 years old, Ayton should just be entering his prime. He has an excellent opportunity to have an improved season now that he's acclimated to Portland and the Blazers' system. But if he doesn't, Ayton could wear another team's jersey in 2025-26, with Clingan becoming the Blazers' starting center.