The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to be one of the more active teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline this year. Portland has a cast of players who opposin

In this new trade idea, the Hornets make a deal to land a former first-overall pick to add to their young core. The deal would be between the Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers, landing Deandre Ayton in Charlotte. After using the Spotrac trade machine, here is what a deal could look like between the teams:

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.

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.

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

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 ...

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:

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE Deandre Ayton - Not playing Sunday vs. OKC Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Thunder, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Jan 21, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) reacts from the bench after an apparent knee injury against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya ...