Strategically it's probably best to wait until next season to consider a buyout just to leave open trade possibilities. Not that another team wants him as a player, but perhaps we can get a pick for taking on a longer contract. Yes we have Simons deal to match salary also expiring, so I wouldn't be too upset if Ayton did get a buyout. Yes he's one of my least favorite NBA players to watch.
I don't have any problem with Ayton other than he and Ant stunk up the joint and both had off nights last game...that happens..other than that I think Ayton has been solid and a double double machine. He seems to me to be a pretty unselfish player for a former first round pick. The guy is still young. I don't think we have great coaching but he seems like a good teammate so far..
I wouldn't be at all disappointed if we kept Ayton. What is there to be excited about right now if you're Ayton?
Granted... I prefer we trade him for a first round pick. But if that's not available, sure. Keep him around.
sure...and you should know ...take a guess which Blazer I've wanted gone for 4 years now? Hint, his name rhymes with Rant! The other Blazer I want gone's name rhymes with Bauncey
Well, it'd be hard to argue this coaching staff doesn't have a laundry list of problems all its own. I still think this team can lose better with someone other than Chauncey who'd be teaching and developing good, winning habits. I watch Chauncey's approach and I have no idea what he's trying to implement.
The chance to be the focal point of the offense if he were to actually make an effort. If he wanted to make himself an all star and improve his next contract, he has the perfect situation to stat-chase without having to worry about winning.
This is just so weird to me? Beginning of last season dude was jumping for joy to be here. Obviously there are some issues?
I don't understand how any Blazer fan can watch how Ayton plays and enjoy his contributions. One of the worst efforts in the NBA. Look at Channing Frye statements as well. Even Raymond Felton gave a better effort there as a Blazer. Simons has been horrific at D his entire career - but he always gives an effort he just lacks height or any defensive skills. Grant has been shooting like crap this year but again he's trying out there. Jabari Walker was way more enjoyable to watch when he started in place of Ayton - and I'm the one who wanted to cut Jabari in training camp.
He has already explicitly stated his primary goal was to get a 2nd contract. He already did that. So what's the motivation to do more? Sometimes, we just need to take players at their word. No need to speculate when they tell you exactly who they are.
Hey, if he's content with what he has and what he's done, that's fine. I was just answering the question of, "What is there to be excited about right now if you're Ayton?" A third contract potentially worth 150-200m could conceivably worth a modicum of excitement.
I'm not paying attention this season. I don't understand how anybody other than the young guys are giving much effort. DA is already proved that he is a quality starter for NBA finals team. As far as I'm concerned he can take the season off. That'll just help us give him a more reasonable contract after this one expires.
I seriously doubt Ayton gets an offer from Portland. He is the cautionary tale GM's point to when teaching their young players the do's/dont's of the league. Get him as far away from the young guys as possible.
c'mon man...that's pretty meaningless considering it was 4 years ago; and especially considering we have 84 games of Ayton as a Blazer as a guage, and that gauge says his appearance in the finals was a circumstantial fluke * last year, Daniel Gafford was a starter on a finals team...with a 12M salary; so was Al Horford with a 10M salary * the year before, Max Strus (1.8M) and KCP (14M) were starters on finals teams * and the year before that it was Kevon Looney (5M) and Marcus Smart (14M) * the year the Suns made the finals, Jae Crowder (9M) was a starting teammate of Ayton's. And Ayton's team got beat by a Buck's team that started PJ Tucker all of those players, including Ayton, were just default starters due to circumstances. Replaceable. Ayton's circumstance was he had one of the best PG's at feeding big men in NBA history in CP3.
