Trail Blazers News: Joe Cronin, Deandre Ayton Encouraged By Center's Late-Season Growth

Pricey Portland Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton began his inaugural season with the team looking fairly underwhelming, putting up some of the most pedestrian numbers of his career following a surprise trade away from the team that drafted him first overall out of the University of Arizona in 2018, the Phoenix Suns.

But by the end of the year, Ayton had rounded into form, emerging as the exciting, hyper-athletic prospect Portland had no doubt hoped it would be acquiring in the deal.

When the Trail Blazers' 2023-24 season officially ended on Monday, team president Joe Cronin told attendant reporters that he was encouraged by Ayton's late-season growth, per Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report.

"It was really encouraging to see the way he navigated this season," Cronin reflected. "You saw early on it was a little shaky, and it wasn't really his fault. Just us acclimating to him. ... By the time January and February hit, DA was a completely different player."

Since the calendar flipped over to 2024, the seven-footer posted averages of 19.5 points on 58.2% shooting from the floor and 86% shooting from the foul line, 11.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks. That's a huge uptick from his performance during his first three months with the team in the fall of 2023, when he averaged 13.1 points on 54.8% shooting from the floor and 77.8% shooting from the charity stripe, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per bout.

For his part, Ayton, too, spoke glowingly of his time in Portland so far, Highkin reports.

"My first season here went amazing. It was a learning experience. I truly got to see what kind of player I am," Ayton said. "What I showed you guys the second half of the season is what I've been trying to show my whole career."