The Portland Trail Blazers took a shot at trying to help Deandre Ayton fulfill the potential that led to him being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft when they acquired him from the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

Ayton is in jeopardy of missing a fourth straight game Tuesday due to a left knee sprain. If the star big man cannot suit up for the Trail Blazers against Milwaukee, the lion's share of the center minutes would be divvied up among rookie first-rounder Donovan Clingan and veteran Robert Williams in Portland's rotation.

With that being the case, a lot of organizations are going to be looking at the Portland Trail Blazers ... parting ways with is starting center Deandre Ayton. Ayton was brought over to Portland ...

Will the Portland Trail Blazers be able to find a taker for their priciest player before the 2024-25 season's February 6 trade deadline? More Trail Blazers: Tra

Ayton will miss his third straight game due to a left knee sprain, and his next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Bucks. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams (hand) will serve as the Blazers' top centers Sunday due to Ayton's injury.

This is the second game in Portland for Lillard since he was traded to Milwaukee in September 2023. Last season, the Blazers beat the Bucks in Portland, 119-116.

SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks and predictions for Portland Blazers vs. Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night

The Blazers are functionally in the same place as before the trade — hoping lottery luck can save them from mediocrity

The Bucks continue a four-game road trip with their eighth back-to-back of the season after defeating the Utah Jazz 125-110 on Monday to improve to 9-4 in January. They shot 60.5% from the field and held a 64-42 advantage in paint points for their sixth win in seven games.

Portland faces Milwaukee in out-of-conference play. The teams square off Tuesday for the first time this season.

In this new trade idea, the Hornets make a deal to land a former first-overall pick to add to their young core. The deal would be between the Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers, landing Deandre Ayton in Charlotte. After using the Spotrac trade machine, here is what a deal could look like between the teams: