The Detroit Pistons’ biggest competition for Deandre Ayton

Detroit Pistons: Competition for Deandre Ayton

Portland Trail Blazers

Projected cap space: $21 million Ayton’s fit: Solid present, unclear future The Portland Trail Blazers have been involved in just about all of at the rumors, including for Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons. They have the cap space to pursue Ayton, and can create even more depending on what they do with Josh Hart and Eric Bledsoe’s partially guaranteed deals. With Jusuf Nurkic going into unrestricted free agency, the Trail Blazers could look to upgrade their center spot and try to build a contender around Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Ayton.

While this is a solid fit and “Big 3” that could make the playoffs, there isn’t a ton of future in a trio built around a guy who is 31-years-old and coming off an injury. This doesn’t seem much different or better than the situation Ayton has in Phoenix. Ayton may love the idea of playing with Lillard and Portland has enough money and assets to potentially add another impact player, which would suddenly make them very interesting in the Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs

Projected cap space: $22 million Ayton’s fit: Meh The Spurs made the play-in this season and have some exciting young talent to build around in Dejounte Murray and Joshua Primo. However, they also have a couple of bigs already under contract for next season and it seems unlikely that they would add Ayton to make him their highest paid player. We know the Spurs like their skilled bigs, but Ayton is not a clear fit, especially when the Spurs have needs at other positions. Ayton does seem like a Spurs’ type, and he would certainly be a nice pairing with Dejounte Murray, but it would be a very un-Spurslike move to outbid other teams for a free agent.