When the Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in September, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was the main, tangible return salving the wound. The first-overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was expected to step in, expand his game, and anchor Portland’s interior attack.
So far, over 8 games this season, Ayton is averaging a disappointing 11.4 points to go along with 12.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. His 57.9% shooting average is as sparkly as ever. He’s just not getting enough field goal attempts to prosper on the offensive side of the ball.