Portland Trail Blazers Center Deandre Ayton is playing arguably the best basketball of his career and it came as a surprise.
After starting the first 26 games of the 2024 season with career lows in points per game (12.8) and field goal percentage (53.7%), the former No. 1 overall pick overall has been as dominant as any NBA center after All. -Star break.
Since February 22, Ayton is averaging 24.5 points per game (second among centers), 14.3 rebounds (fourth overall), 64.3% from the field, 88.2% from the line. francs and ranks among the top 10 in double-doubles (seven). . Additionally, three 30-point outings in his last five games gave the seven-footer his 10th career 30-point performance.
Although the Blazers were 19-48 (14th in the West) and eliminated from playoff contention, Ayton’s second-half surge showed promise for the franchise that acquired him in a three-team trade.
“We unlocked (Ayton) and we’re getting the best version of him,” Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said, via Duane Rankin of AZ Central. “He’s been a monster. He’s been a monster on that glass. He’s been everywhere. Super, super efficient. He’s been great and our guys are just following his lead.”
Throughout his career, Ayton has been criticized for his lack of consistency and effort on the court and in 44 games with the Blazers, the talented center is still averaging a career-low 15.6 points per game despite its recent resurgence.
Ayton, 25, is currently in the second year of a four-year contract worth $132.9 million that he signed ahead of the 2022-23 season with the Phoenix Suns. The big man is expected to earn two more years of annual salary well above $30 million before returning to the market, where he believes he is worth a max contract.
“I have nothing to prove in this league,” Ayton told Basketball Intelligence. Marc Medina in January. “I am a maximum player and I will continue to be.”
Ayton immediately followed his comments with a five-point, seven-rebound night before finally turning his season around. With 15 games left in the Blazers season, Ayton will look to continue his dominance and hopefully carry some of that confidence into next season.
As it stands – outside of his lone Finals appearance in 2021 – the sixth-year center has no accolades to show for it or any hardware, making a max contract far-fetched. However, if the last eight games have been a preview of what’s to come, then a huge payday will surely be coming.
