Deandre Ayton, C, Portland Trail Blazers
The young center has the chance to get a fresh start in Portland as he was a part of the three-team-trade sending Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The relationship between Deandre Ayton and his Phoenix Suns teammates was seemingly broken even going into last season when the Suns matched an offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers to keep him with the team.
Ayton seemed frustrated with teammates and coaching but now has the chance to start over in Portland. He will be surrounded by plenty of young talent on the perimeter with Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe. There will be no pressure on Ayton to perform allowing him to play free as an essential piece for the team on both sides of the ball.
Head coach Chauncey Billups should find unique ways to help Ayton thrive with a revamped Trail Blazers squad. After all, Ayton is still one of the most talented young centers in the NBA. That much hasn’t changed.