In a draft class with several future hall-of-famers, like Luka Dončić and the recent NBA champion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Phoenix Suns drafted the best player available in Deandre Ayton. He was supposed to be a superstar, and despite having a time in Phoenix that will always be remembered, Ayton is looked at as one of the most underwhelming first-overall picks in the last decade.
Much of his disappointment has been caused by injuries, but since the Arizona product was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, he has consistently failed to live up to the hype surrounding his draft. In fact, he has only played 95 games in two seasons with Portland, and statistically, his averages have plateaued and regressed.
From 2023-24 to 2023-25, Ayton's points, rebounds, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and games played have reduced. This is not what an organization would like to see from a 26-year-old center in the seventh season of his career.
Furthermore, the Trail Blazers clearly considered Ayton's downfall on draft day and were adamant about taking a center. This resulted in the debatable pick of Yang Hansen, an overseas center from China, yet it shows the acknowledgment that occurred.
After the draft, many expected the Trail Blazers to receive calls on Ayton, who is still a valuable center. Teams like the LA Clippers would have been interested, but Portland sped up the process on the eve of free agency and bought him out.
Sudden addition to the free-agent market. This gives Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who went to the NBA Finals with the Suns, the chance to receive a fresh opportunity as the Trail Blazers build around their depth of young centers. https://t.co/JlaQzrnI0N
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
The LA Clippers must keep aside a chunk of their mid-level exception to sign Deandre Ayton in free agency
Deandre Ayton's injuries may be an issue, but the LA Clippers, of all teams, know how great he can be on a championship team. If signed to the Clippers, this would be the second significant stride of Ayton's career, as he would be fighting for a ring, having made the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns.
The Clippers front office could make Ayton's bench role even sweeter, as Chris Paul, who was with the big man on the Suns, is a legitimately pursuable option this summer for executive Lawrence Frank.
Moreover, the Clippers should allocate a portion of their mid-level exception to Ayton and reserve the rest for Paul if he decides not to agree to a veteran's minimum contract.
Nonetheless, Ayton as a target for the Clippers may have come at the last minute, but he should be the top priority following the negotiated price that Harden came to with LA's front office.