It's not often a team loses a starter and immediately finds itself in a logjam at that player's position, but that's exactly what has happened with the Trail Blazers and departed center Deandre Ayton. The Trail Blazers reached a buyout with Ayton a week into the offseason, leaving some fans annoyed.
The move, however, sent a clear message to players and fans alike: Portland is focused on the future and its emerging identity as a defense-first unit.
With a gap at the starting center position, fans have been left to speculate who head coach Chauncey Billups will tab to fill the role.