Portland Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton, considered a key trade chip for Portland this season (or, at least, hoped to be one by Trail Blazers brass

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton had one of his best all-around games Tuesday night at the Miami Heat, drawing praise from coach Chauncey Billups. Ayton scored 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds during a 116-107 victory to start a three-game trip.

On Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers will be in Florida to play the Orlando Magic. For the game, the Trail Blazers could be without one of their best

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) grabs a rebound away from Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) as forward Jabari Walker (34) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) AP AP

Sidelined Friday

In this new trade idea from Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World, the Kings take a gamble and land a former first-overall draft pick. The deal would be between the Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, sending Deandre Ayton to Sacramento. Here is what the deal could look like:

Portland Trail Blazers (13-27, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Saturday ... 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Deandre Ayton averaging 2.8 offensive boards.

Portland Trail Blazers (13-25, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE ... Conference with 48.5 points per game in the paint led by Deandre Ayton averaging 10.6. The Nets have gone 8-14 away from home.

Chicago Bulls (18-24, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (13-28, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Sunday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulls -4; over/under is 236 BOTTOM LINE: Chicago visits the Portland Trail Blazers after Nikola Vucevic scored 40 points in the Bulls' 125-123 loss to the Charlotte

Portland will try to end its four-game slide when the Portland Trail Blazers take on Houston. The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Magic, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports. Ayton has been downgraded from questionable to out Tuesday due to left knee soreness.

NBA: The Trail Blazers started the east coast swing on a good note with a win over the Heat last night. Anfernee Simons came back from injury to lead the team with 24 points. Deandre Ayton had a