Deandre Ayton off to Slow Start With Blazers
PHOENIX -- Though Deandre Ayton is long gone from the Phoenix Suns, fans will always be keeping close tabs on his performance with the Portland Trail Blazers after being traded just prior to training camp.
Though it's early, Blazers fans are already asking more from their new center. Through three games, Ayton is averaging a mere 8.3 points, though he is notching 12 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest.
SB Nation recently highlighted Ayton as a player who needs to step up for Portland in absence of Anfernee Simons.
"Ayton has shown glimpses of the player that anchored the Phoenix Suns defense during the 2021 NBA Finals. But indecisive play combined with mounting, unnecessary fouls, have resulted in an indifferent start to the former number one pick’s Blazers tenure," wrote Adrian Bernecich
"In Simons’ absence, Ayton may indeed get more touches despite a Billups preseason claim that the team wouldn’t be running the offense through him like the Philadelphia 76ers would Joel Embiid. Probably a smart strategy.
"However, Ayton will still need to be an increased offensive presence imposing himself on games, if only to make it easier for the likes of Henderson, Sharpe, Brogdon and Grant."
Portland is 0-3 thus far.
Their record isn't exactly shocking, though with such a big opportunity at his disposal, Portland fans would have hoped for better numbers from a center that's considered to have an elite offensive skill set.
Not everybody is ready to overreact, though.
“I told him I’m still learning him,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “Still learning his game. Where he can be most effective.”
The Suns received a handful of players in return after ditching Ayton, the most notable being Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen.
Nurkic has slid in just fine to the five spot while Allen has started multiple games for Phoenix already as a guard, though that's due to injuries on Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.
It's still very much a long season, though it's clear Ayton will be asked of more as the season progresses.
