The line is starting to get a bit tired but the Portland Trail Blazers have a big summer ahead of them. From all reports, it’s going to be a busy transaction period and the Blazers should have pieces that are of interest to other franchises.
I don’t necessarily like discussing trade suggestions because, outside the front offices in question, nobody has any idea what will actually go down. But, for me, there’s one deal the Blazers should at least consider, if they haven’t already done so.
The Los Angeles Lakers have needed a big man since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luke Doncic at February’s NBA Trade Deadline. Despite winning the trade by a country mile, the Lakers were forced to paper over the center position with less-than-ideal alternatives down the stretch and into the NBA Playoffs.
In order to maximize Doncic moving forward, the Lakers need a big man who can catch lobs, hit midrange jumpers, rebound at a high level and play at least average defense. Sound like anyone we know?
Yielded in the Damian Lillard trade, Deandre Ayton has (almost) been the player we expected with a lack of consistency his biggest flaw. It would have been nice for the former number one overall pick to rediscover his 2021 NBA Finals form but he also hasn’t had the same level of talent he had around him on that Phoenix Suns team. In Blazers colors, he’s averaged 15.7 points on 56.9% shooting from the field, 10.7 boards, 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals.
While productive, the rebuilding Blazers have likely chosen a different path, drafting Donovan Clingan with the seventh pick in last year’s draft. Clingan has shown signs this season but has been forced to play second, and sometimes third, fiddle to Ayton and Robert Williams III.
As such, the plan would ideally be to trade Ayton for assets or players at non-center positions, in order to clear a runway for Clingan.
The failed Mark Williams deal
Days after the Doncic deal dropped, the Lakers made a theoretical follow-up trade for oft-injured Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams. For Williams’ services, they were initially willing to give up an unprotected 2031 first round pick and 2030 pick swap, Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish. But the transaction was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.
The lack of a starting big man subsequently contributed to the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. Consequently, the franchise is likely searching for a big man to pair with Doncic and LeBron James.
While centers aren’t particularly difficult to find, starting-level big men are rarer. To solve their problem, the Lakers could try and bamboozle the Dallas Mavericks again to snag Daniel Gafford. There’s also Sacramento Kings tandem Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas and Brooklyn Nets pivot Nic Claxton. Ayton should also be on this list.
The question we ask now is whether Mark Williams was/is a better prospect than Ayton. The answer is: it’s complicated. Williams is three years younger than the incumbent Blazer with a dominant offensive game close to the rim but a lot of questions on defense.
Despite Williams’ impressive measurements, he’s not the defender scouts had hoped, lacking instincts and agility. He’s only played 77 games over the past three years, never really dominating on a poor Hornets squad. Through those 77 games, Williams has averaged 12.3 points on 62.2% shooting from the field, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals.
Conversely, Ayton is more or a less a finished product. He’s a decent defensive option and a more versatile offensive player, able to shoot the ball at a decent clip almost anywhere within the arc. Ayton has been relatively durable, playing 162 games over that same period. He probably would have appeared in more if the Blazers hadn’t shut down veterans early over the past two seasons.
Ayton’s contract and the return
The big Bahamian isn’t struggling for a dollar with the final year of his current deal set at $35.5 million. Not a small amount but with one year remaining, not too burdensome.
The issue will be how much Ayton expects on his next deal and whether that amount can be agreed upon in an extension this offseason or in unrestricted free agency next summer. The big man has consistently referred to himself as a “max player” but I suspect he might have to lower his expectations given his production and the current state of the league.
If Lakers boss Rob Pelinka is interested and hits go on the deal, he’s got time to see if it works before committing long term. But you’d have to expect the Lakers to want a decision as soon as possible.
As far as a return goes, the Blazers aren’t getting the Williams package. The Hornets big man is due almost $6.3 million next season, which is infinitely more team-friendly.
Let’s start with returning salary. Rui Hachimura is a no brainer. With only one year left, he’s a rotation forward earning $18.2 million, an amount that gets you half-way there.
From here, the Lakers could add Dorian Finney-Smith, which pretty much gets you to Ayton’s number. But my guess is they’d prefer to keep Finney-Smith and opt for one of three $11-to$11.5 million players in Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is my least favorite as he still has three years left on his deal.
The Lakers will also have to add Dalton Knecht and/or Shake Milton to make it legal.
As for pick compensation, the Hornets would have received an unprotected 2031 first and pick swap. The Blazers aren’t getting that, but if Cronin can walk away with a top 8 protected 2031 pick, I’d be fine.
The pick itself could be viewed as the truest reflection of Ayton’s worth. In this case, he’s worth giving up the first for but his salary prevents it from being unprotected.
The Impact
The Lakers get Luka an ideal pick and roll partner at the same age, from the same draft. They can extend Ayton at a number they like or let things play out. Worst case scenario, if it doesn’t work out, they can use him as an expiring deal in another deal at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline.
The Blazers clear the path for Clingan with Robert Williams III as his primary backup, assuming the former Celtic can stay fit. Long term, the Blazers could re-trade or let the salary yielded, save for Knecht and Milton, walk in 12 months, while holding onto the protected 2031 pick.
It also means the Blazers continue to gather assets yielded from the Lillard deal while ensuring the books remain clean for 2026 when they could have serious cap space.
Conclusion
The Lakers will no doubt be searching for a center this summer. There’s a handful of options that would suit what Los Angeles needs and you’d have to include Ayton on that list.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pelinka has made a call to test the waters on Ayton given his skillset. But whether he’s worth giving up real assets for will be the ultimate question.
I conclude by saying that we’ve seen what Ayton looks like with a gifted passer like Chris Paul. Pairing him with Doncic could help the Bahamian unlock that next level. Whether the Lakers agree will be one to watch.