Despite consistent production across the course of his career, Ayton remains a polarizing fantasy asset. Moving from Phoenix to Portland before the 2023-24 season had very little impact on Ayton's per-game output. He finished as a top-45 player for the fifth time in the past six years, averaging 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks. His refusal to block shots or get to the free-throw line continues to be an issue for fantasy managers, something that typically sees him slide a little in drafts. Production aside, Ayton's attitude also comes into question when projecting his overall value. The Trail Blazers are likely to be towards the bottom of the standings once again this season, raising the question of whether Ayton will be fully committed. The team also drafted Donovan Clingan, casting some doubt over the future of Ayton in Portland. Taking everything into consideration, while still a clear must-roster player, Ayton does come with an element of risk. This should result in him being available at a slight discount, typically in the fifth or sixth rounds of drafts. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a four-year, $132.93 million contract with the Suns in July of 2022. Traded to the Trail Blazers in September of 2023.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Ayton was born in 1998 in Nassau, Bahamas to parents Andrea and Alvin Ayton. He has three brothers and two sisters. Ayton played soccer in his youth but decided to seriously pursue basketball at the age of 12. After showing promise at the Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp in the Bahamas, he moved to the United States to attend Balboa City School before transferring to Hillcrest Prep. Ayton has played a big role in Hurricane Dorian relief efforts, as the disaster affected his native Bahamas. He pledged $100,000 in September of 2019 and later held a dinner that raised $47.000 for UNICEF's relief fund. Ayton is also involved in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp, which he attended in 2016 as a participant and in 2019 as a coach. You can follow Ayton on Twitter (@DeandreAyton) and Instagram (@deandreayton). Ayton helped lead Arizona to the 2017-18 Pac-12 regular-season title and earned several accolades during his lone year in college -- he was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, the Pac-12 Rookie of the Year, as well as being part of the Conference's All-Freshmen and All-Defensive teams. Furthermore, the Nassau, Bahamas native led the Wildcats to the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament title, where he was named the MVP of the tournament. The team also qualified for the 2018 NCAA Tournament but lost in the first round. In the 17-18 season, Ayton was at the top of the Pac-12 in points (704), rebounds (405), offensive rebounds (118), defensive rebounds (287), rebounds per game (11.6) and two-point field goals (264). Ayton was also second in the Pac-12 in points per game (20.1). Ayton entered the 2018 NBA Draft after his freshman year at Arizona. He was drafted as the top pick in the draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Plays in Olympic qualifying game
CPortland Trail Blazers
July 2, 2024
Ayton (back) posted 19 points (8-12 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal across 38 minutes for the The Bahamian national team in its 96-85 win over Finland on Tuesday in an Olympic qualifying tournament game.
ANALYSIS Ayton missed the Trail Blazers' final game of the NBA regular-season due to a back injury, but his ability to log major minutes for The Bahamas over the summer suggests he's back to full health. The 25-year-old will be entering the third season of a four-year, $132.93 million contract with the Trail Blazers, who could be looking to trade him after selecting another center in Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
2023 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2023 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2023 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
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2023 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2022
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Stat Review
How does Deandre Ayton compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
58.7%
Effective Field Goal %
57.1%
3-Point Attempt Rate
1.3%
Free Throw Rate
10.5%
Offensive Rebound %
10.4%
Defensive Rebound %
28.9%
Total Rebound %
19.1%
Assist %
8.8%
Steal %
1.4%
Block %
2.1%
Turnover %
10.1%
Usage %
0.0%
Fantasy Points Per Game
36.0
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.1
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Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Trail Blazers Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Deandre Ayton was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Ayton averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in 2022-23, making it five straight seasons averaging a double-double. He also set new career highs at the foul line, averaging 3.0 attempts and 2.3 makes per game. Ayton's 18.0 points per game was his highest mark since his sophomore campaign, but his 10.0 rebounds and 2.6 offensive rebounds per game actually stand as new career lows. Defensively, he was underwhelming, averaging 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals on the season. Nonetheless, he helped carry the Suns to their third consecutive season as a top-four team in the West. Surprisingly, Ayton, who signed a four-year extension in July of 2022, was swapped for Jusuf Nurkic this offseason as part of the blockbuster deal that landed Damian Lillard in Milwaukee. The Trail Blazers could look to flip Ayton eventually, but for now, it appears their plan is to ride with Ayton as the starting center. Without Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Ayton should see a lot more offensive touches per game and figures to put up plenty of 20-and-10s in Portland. However, fantasy managers should be skeptical about how high Ayton's ceiling is, as he's failed to show substantial progress since being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
Ayton entered restricted free agency with lukewarm interest from clubs around the league before eventually receiving a max offer from the Pacers. His tumultuous offseason ended when the Suns elected to match the four-year, $133 million offer to keep the big man in the desert. Ayton's traditional center style of playing almost exclusively around the rim doesn't have quite the same draw as it once did. However, what he does, he does very well. Ayton connected on a career-best 63.4 percent of his shots from the field and averaged a double-double for a fourth consecutive campaign. Ayton's efficiency (65.6 TS%) and ability on the boards present his primary contributions from a fantasy standpoint, but he's also cut down on his turnovers and shot well enough from the free-throw line (74.6 percent) not to hurt fantasy managers in those areas. On the downside, Ayton attempted just 19 threes last season (seven makes), averaged just 1.4 assists and wasn't exactly a rim protector either, tallying just 0.7 swats per contest. While the Suns' financial investment should guarantee big minutes for Ayton, he only excels in two categories -- rebounds and field goal percentage. His limited spectrum of fantasy offerings leads to a fantasy value tumbling into the middle rounds in most standard formats.
Last year was a maturation process for Ayton, fueled by the experience and competitiveness of Chris Paul. Paul and Ayton developed a strong bond throughout the season, executing pick-and-rolls and alley-oops with aplomb, and Ayton finished the regular season with 33 double-doubles in 64 games. Paul continued to push Ayton throughout the season, and Ayton responded by exploding in the playoffs, increasing both his rebounds (from 10.5 to 11.8) and points (14.4 to 15.8) per game and displaying dominance on the offensive glass, with a total of 14 double-doubles in 22 playoff games. Fans could see Ayton's confidence and accountability build with each playoff series, leading to an increase in minutes (only Booker had more minutes for the Suns in the last two series) and allowing the team to expand their reliance on him. With the Paul-Ayton duo coming back together again this season and the trust Ayton has earned with his impressive play during the Suns' playoff run, we should expect Ayton to reach new levels on both offense and defense and reward fantasy managers as one of the top five all-around big men in the NBA and potentially worthy of a second-to-third round pick in fantasy.
Fantasy managers were burned by Ayton in 2019-20. After playing in the season-opener against the Kings, Ayton was handed a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug program for testing positive for a diuretic. However, he performed well upon his return, averaging 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks from Jan. 1 onward. Ayton was efficient, hitting 54.9 percent of his field goal attempts and 76.1 percent of his free-throw tries -- the latter of which was a strong mark for a traditional big man. Heading in 2020-21, the 22-year-old will remain a building block for the Suns next to Devin Booker, as the franchise looks to make its first playoff appearance since 2009-10. He's already established himself as a double-double machine, and he also had 10 performances (out of a possible 38) last season with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Ayton's clearly on a track for All-Star buzz in 2020-21, and he'll likely be selected in most fantasy drafts around the early third round, if not sooner.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Ayton became just the second player in NBA history 20 years old or younger to average at least 16 points and 10 rebounds on 55 percent shooting -- the other being Shaquille O'Neal. Ayton's impressive campaign was overshadowed by a great rookie class, namely Luka Doncic winning Rookie of the Year and Trae Young having a stellar second half of the season. Ayton did have some big games, however, racking up 39 double-doubles, including 21 games with at least 20 points and five performances with at least 15 rebounds. He's a traditional center, working in the pick-and-roll (135 dunks), post (58.1% on hook shots), and mid-range (34.6% on 127 attempts from 16 feet to the three-point line). While his jumpshooting needs to be more efficient, Ayton went a respectable 12-of-35 from three in college and is a good free-throw shooter (74.6 percent at a rookie), so it seems like that should develop over time. Ayton's defense also needs some work. It was a knock on him coming out of Arizona, and he blocked just 67 shots in 71 games last season. It's possible he's never a true impact player on that end of the floor, though he has the physical tools to get there if things click. All things considered, Ayton is one of the more promising young big men in the league, and fantasy owners should expect improvement heading into Year 2.
In his lone season at Arizona, Ayton was clearly one of the most dominant big men in the country, averaging a double-double of 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds. The 7-foot-1, 250-pounder added 1.9 blocks, consistently scaring off opposing players from attempting to get to the rim when he was in the game. Despite his size, Ayton has the athleticism and ability to run the floor in transition successfully, which should translate over well to a Suns team that played at the third-quickest pace in the NBA last season. He also has a solid jumper and showed he can knock down a three-pointer when necessary after posting a 34.3 percent clip from deep. All of those skills earned Ayton the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft and he joins a Suns team that should give him every opportunity to excel right away. Concerns about his effort and motor do exist, but if Ayton does end up getting featured alongside superstar Devin Booker offensively, there's a chance he becomes a legitimate option for Fantasy owners to select in the middle rounds of most drafts. Ayton does occasionally rely on having strong facilitators that can set him up, so guys like Booker and potentially Brandon Knight could have a key part in making sure Ayton hits his upside, especially in pick-and-roll situations. While Ayton could struggle early on as a rookie transitioning to the NBA, he does have 20/10 potential on any given night if the Suns do feature him as expected. It's worth it to note that Ayton dominated summer league, averaging 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block.
More Fantasy News
Won't play in finale
CPortland Trail Blazers
Back
April 14, 2024
Ayton (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against Sacramento.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Questionable to play Sunday
CPortland Trail Blazers
Back
April 13, 2024
Ayton (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings.
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Leaves early with back injury
CPortland Trail Blazers
Back
April 12, 2024
Ayton won't return to Friday's game against the Rockets due to low back soreness. He registered six points (3-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes before exiting.
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Records double-double in loss
CPortland Trail Blazers
April 12, 2024
Ayton registered 25 points (12-24 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals over 34 minutes during Thursday's 100-92 loss to the Warriors.
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Pours in team-high 30
CPortland Trail Blazers
April 10, 2024
Ayton accumulated 30 points (15-22 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 13 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 110-100 loss to the Pelicans.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could be moved this offseason
CPortland Trail Blazers
June 4, 2024
Ayton could be traded this offseason if the Trail Blazers draft Donovan Clingan, Evan Sidery of Forbes Sports reports.
ANALYSIS The latest mock draft from Yahoo Sports has Clingan falling to the Blazers at the No. 7 overall pick, which could mean Ayton being a candidate for an offseason trade. The Trail Blazers have also shown interest in trading up in the draft for Clingan, who's gone as high as the No. 3 overall pick in some mock drafts. In his first season with the Trail Blazers, Ayton averaged 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks, shooting an efficient 57.0 percent across 55 games. This productive stat line could mean the Trail Blazers will get a good haul for the big man, especially with the team looking to rebuild.