The next year will be key in deciding the Trail Blazers’ franchise center and Portland’s future. The team has established players, but a Deandre Ayton trade looks inevitable to make room for Donovan Clingan, in order to allow him to become their franchise center.

The Blazers Should Commit To Donovan Clingan As The Franchise Center

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of a long-term rebuild. They want to have players who fit their long-term plans. Head coach Chauncey Billups wants a defense-focused system. This is why most people feel Deandre Ayton is on his way out soon.

While he can be inconsistent at times, Ayton cemented his starting-level center status in Portland. Unfortunately, his play style does not fit Portland’s future under Billups. That fits Clingan better, who had a fantastic yet underrated rookie year in the 2024-25 season.

Clingan Has All The Tools To Be The Blazers’ Franchise Center

The offensive side of his game needs some work, but Clingan has everything a team would want from a center. He is already one of the league’s most promising defenders, averaging 1.6 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game. That is good for three swats per 36 minutes.

Apr 13, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) blocks Los Angeles Lakers center Trey Jemison III (55) in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Clingan is not an offensive phenom, but he is an effective defender. This is significant for the Blazers because they are trending towards being an elite defense. His paint presence is reminiscent of Rudy Gobert. That is huge praise, due to Gobert’s four Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Donovan Clingan deserved to be all-rookie first team off his defense alone imo

4th in BLK/100 (4.0), led the NBA in: contests/100 (33.2), pts saved/100 (3.8), opp rim freq on/off (-6.0). + opp FG was -5.7% overall & -12.8%! worse at the rim. POR d was +3.8 better w him on pic.twitter.com/D7cNZTcfcn

— g (@freewave3) May 31, 2025

Toumani Camara is already on the team, and he already has an All-Defensive Second Team nod in the 2024-25 season. This defensive pair, alongside Deni Avdija, makes for a fun system. Camara is the team’s most versatile defender, which makes for a solid foundation for the Trail Blazers.

Most people will focus on his defensive game, but he is still decent on offense. He already formed a strong pick-and-roll partnership with point guard Scoot Henderson. That is the building block for the team’s long-term offense, as they must maximize Henderson’s playmaking potential.

The Blazers Must Part Ways With Ayton Soon

Ayton is entering the final year of his contract in the 2025-26 season. That means he will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. It is the optimal time for Portland to find an Ayton trade to part ways with his salary.

That also opens the pathway for Clingan to become the starting center. Of course, Portland’s future relies on Clingan being in good enough shape to play 30+ minutes. He should work on his stamina, as he often looked visibly tired.

Ayton should get some suitors around the league because he still has some good traits. He is fantastic with his mid-range scoring, and he is a great rebounder. People might point out his weaknesses, like defense and the “killer instinct”, but he is a good player.

Man clingan is so good , just watching some Blazers. he is gonna be like the Mutombo of this gen.
This is why you never draft for need. They had Ayton and Bob Will but who cares. That doesnt mean you should take cody williams or w/e.. you take the best guy

— Mike Gribanov – NBA Draft, Youth BBall analysis (@mikegrib8) May 2, 2025

It might be challenging to figure out where he could go, but it is up to general manager Joe Cronin. The 2025-26 season might be a make-or-break year for Cronin, especially if he fails to pick the Blazers’ franchise center.

The Future Core Is Already On The Blazers

Clingan is not the only player who is part of Portland’s future. Camara, Avdija, Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe are building blocks. They will still need more players to fit into the system from the draft and the trade market.

The Trail Blazers must decide on their long-term plans because they are on the cusp of a breakout campaign. They have not reached the same heights as the OKC Thunder, but they are on their way. Portland has the tools to become a top team as long as it stays focused on the rebuild.

Scoot Henderson speaking on Donovan Clingan today:

“DC’s making big strides. Rookie of the Year in my opinion. A lot of bigs in the league can’t do what he does.”

The duo of the future 🤩🌹#RipCity pic.twitter.com/y1vFMFhJuG

— RIPCITYY🌹 (@shaesharpeshow) November 16, 2024

Players like Clingan and Henderson need a pathway to become star players. The Blazers must commit to potential, as they are hampering their future without an Ayton or Anfernee Simons trade.

Photo credit: © Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images