Portland Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton, considered a key trade chip for Portland this season (or, at least, hoped to be one by Trail Blazers brass

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton had one of his best all-around games Tuesday night at the Miami Heat, drawing praise from coach Chauncey Billups. Ayton scored 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds during a 116-107 victory to start a three-game trip.

Ayton will miss his third straight game due to a left knee sprain, and his next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Bucks. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams (hand) will serve as the Blazers' top centers Sunday due to Ayton's injury.

On Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers will be in Florida to play the Orlando Magic. For the game, the Trail Blazers could be without one of their best

Portland would end up shipping Ayton to Sacramento for quite a haul in this trade. That would leave Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III as the two futures at the center spot in Portland.

Portland Trail Blazers PR ... PROBABLE Deni Avdija (R Ankle Sprain) Deandre Ayton (Low Back Soreness) -via Twitter @TrailBlazersPR / January 19, 2025 Trail Blazers PR: INJURY UPDATE: Deni Avdija ...

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) grabs a rebound away from Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) as forward Jabari Walker (34) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) AP AP

In this new trade idea from Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World, the Kings take a gamble and land a former first-overall draft pick. The deal would be between the Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, sending Deandre Ayton to Sacramento. Here is what the deal could look like:

Mathew is an avid sports fan who loves basketball. He has a soft spot for Denver sports in particular and has been involved with sports writing for close to 7 years now. He likes to utilize both ...

(AP Photo/Amanda Loman) Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) brings the ball up court as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda ...

Portland will try to end its four-game slide when the Portland Trail Blazers take on Houston. The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.

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