The morning after Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin took UConn’s Donovan Clingan with the seventh pick in the draft, he felt it was necessary to call starting center Deandre Ayton and explain the move, writes Jason Quick of The Athletic. To his delight, Cronin found that Ayton wasn’t just understanding of the decision, but extremely supportive.
“He was like, ‘OK, where can we take this?’” Cronin said. “(He asked) How can he help me? How can I help him? What can we do together?’ His attitude was great about the whole situation.”
Quick notes that Ayton’s attitude was often a problem early in his career and even at times last season, but it has improved to the point where he’s now considered a “building block” of the franchise. Coach Chauncey Billups, who’s getting ready to fly to Spain to watch Ayton’s Bahamas team in an Olympic qualifying tournament, is excited about experimenting with Ayton and Clingan in a twin towers lineup.
“I’m willing to try things,” Billups said. “Several teams are playing big — Cleveland, Denver, Memphis … I’m going to try having (Clingan) and D.A. out there together. But it depends who is on the floor. Is it Jaren Jackson? Is it Aaron Gordon? Is it Evan Mobley?”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Clingan emphasized his desire to win during an introductory press conference Saturday in Portland, Quick adds. He credited his late mother with teaching him the importance of defense. “You have to play great defense to win games, and I want to win games,” Clingan said. “I’ll take a block off the backboard over a dunk any day of the week.”
- The Jazz don’t expect first-round pick Cody Williams to make an immediate impact like his older brother Jalen Williams did in Oklahoma City, but they recognize there are benefits to having a sibling who’s already in the NBA, per Sarah Todd of The Deseret News. “I think it is a great example for him,” general manager Justin Zanik said. “They’re going to be different. They’re not the exact same player at all. But just being able to be around that can continue to inspire and grow Cody’s passion for the game.”
- The Nuggets need a roster shakeup this summer and their best option is to trade Michael Porter Jr., contends Troy Renck of The Denver Post. With Jamal Murray about to receive a max extension and Gordon possibly becoming a free agent next summer, dealing Porter would relieve some of the financial strain on an expensive roster. Renck hears that Denver has explored several trade options involving Porter and had interest in Alex Caruso before he was traded to the Thunder.
Ayton’s game is much more similar to a PF, more like Karl Malone. I think Ayton can space the floor on offense enough to exist with Clingan.
If Rockets trade Jalen Green to the third team and get Clingan in return.
Sengun would be PF, Smith would be part time SF.
Players who have attitude problems for multiple years and then magically “solve” said problems shouldn’t be trusted IMO. The Blazers would do well to up his value and get off that contract. Not gonna put it all on Ayton as I think Monty was a part of the problem in Phoenix, playing his favorites and refusing to deal with those players he didn’t like, but a so-so motor is hard to fix. It looks great now because he ended the season with a fat usage rate, but I’d take the cynical approach here.
I have always like Ayton. I still think he has more to give. But I must admit. Seems like he doesn’t want it bad enough. IMO this is why they drafted Clingan.
Never liked Ayton, ofcourse his attitude is better now he just got paid. He doesn’t have to do anything for the next two seasons.
It was a poor pick by Portland and ever since Dame has left I think this team has only ever done downhill.
I see this team turning into the Sacramento kings of the 2010’s ….