Deandre Ayton’s move to the Portland Trail Blazers was seen as a fresh start. He was traded from the Suns in exchange for Damian Lillard last summer. The Blazers, being a young and rebuilding team, presented Ayton with a chance to take on a more prominent role without the immediate pressure to win. However, things didn’t turn out as expected.
Ayton’s performance often didn’t stand out during games. He settled for a less engaged style of play, which was reflected in his career-low average of 12.5 points per game by late January. His approach to offense and defense was notably lackluster.
Ayton shared an unusual reason for his underwhelming performance. He mentioned that adjusting to a new team and city impacted him more than expected. Surprisingly, he revealed that he didn’t have a proper bed for a while and was sleeping on an air mattress. This, according to him, affected his ability to play well.
Despite having signed a $133 million contract less than two years ago, Ayton struggled with getting a proper bed. This situation seems almost unbelievable for someone of his financial standing. It highlights a peculiar challenge, but also raises questions about his priorities and decision-making.
Moreover, Ayton’s absence from a game due to icy roads in Portland added to the narrative of his unusual challenges. Comparisons to the dedication of athletes like Kobe Bryant, who would have found a way to overcome such obstacles, are inevitable.
However, it’s worth noting that Ayton has shown significant improvement on the court recently. In March, he’s been averaging 29 points and almost 17 rebounds over four games. This uptick in performance suggests that Ayton is capable of overcoming his earlier struggles, regardless of whether a better sleeping arrangement contributed to this resurgence.
For more in-depth NBA analysis, the Beyond the Arc podcast offers daily insights into the league’s biggest storylines.