The [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.blazersedge.com) roster is in a state of flux during the 2024-25 season. Several sterling newcomers are pushing forward into new minutes and roles as more veteran players try to carry the team through the transitional year.
Today we’re going to put a series of difficult propositions before Blazers fans. If you were forced to choose between players with similar positions and/or roles, who would you keep and who would you let go?
In each post we’re going to name two or more Blazers players. If the team only kept one, which would you choose and why? You don’t have to imagine the other player disappearing. The Blazers might trade them or let their contract expire for cap savings. There would be all the usual benefits for letting go of the departing player. You just couldn’t keep them.
This post puts the Trail Blazers centers in full focus. The bright, young hope on the roster is rookie Donovan Clingan. He’s 7’2, solid as heck, and has shown good defensive instincts, particularly when blocking and altering shots. He’s not going to develop into a new-NBA perimeter defender, though, and his offensive game is limited.
On the other side of the ledger stand Portland’s two veteran centers: Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. Ayton has a varied offensive game and, when he’s on, has the potential to be one of the better centers in the league. Williams has All-Defensive chops, hampered only by his inability to stay healthy. This tandem is probably more talented overall than Clingan, certainly more varied, but they’re also more expensive and perhaps less reliable.
If the Blazers had to choose between keeping Clingan and keeping Ayton/Williams, which would you choose and why? Share in the comments section below and watch for more either-or choices throughout the day!