NBA: 11 Players and teams that have gotten off to frighteningly bad starts

Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers

As part of the Damian Lillard trade, Deandre Ayton was viewed as somewhat of the prized asset that the Portland Trail Blazers received in the three-team deal. Ayton was a player that the Blazers wanted as they looked to build around its young core and at least on paper, he was worth gambling on. After all, at just 25 years old, it was unlikely that Ayton had already played the best basketball of his career.

But, maybe he has? Through four games with the Blazers to start off the season, Ayton has struggled mightily – especially on the offensive end of the floor. Ayton is averaging eight points per game. While he is averaging 12 boards per contest, part of the reason why the Blazers were so high on Ayton was his offensive potential.

At least thus far, he’s struggled to be a difference-maker on that end of the floor. If he can’t turn things around quickly, the Lillard trade is only going to look worse. And, partly, I get it. The Blazers may have already won by standing up to Lillard by not trading him to the Miami Heat. However, at the same time, the early tangible returns on the deal aren’t looking good.