Deandre Ayton Says Air Mattress Led to Struggles With Blazers

Former Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton says his early struggles with the Portland Trail Blazers was partly due to poor sleep.

PHOENIX -- Former Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton didn't exactly get off on the best foot in his new surroundings, struggling with the Portland Trail Blazers after arriving via trade ahead of the 2023-24 season. 

Ayton - who missed a game due to being trapped in his home after a snowstorm - says he didn't have a bed during his early tenure with the Blazers, setting him up for failure. 

“I got all the money in the world but at the same time, some of this is inhumane where money don’t matter, just having your people around and the support you need,” Ayton said.

“My body wasn’t just my body. People forget the humane difference of me adjusting to everything. ... Just being comfortable in waking up,” he said (h/t OregonLive.com). “I didn’t have a bed for quite some time. I was on an air mattress. Just trying to figure this out.”

Ayton surely had the proper financials to get a bed at some point during his early days in Portland, though he may have been so incredibly locked in to Blazers basketball that may have just slipped his mind. 

He also mentioned Blazers fans should know that his effort - something continually questioned in Phoenix - is pure from start to finish.

“I just want people to believe no matter what the game is, no matter how it looks, regardless, no matter the fact, I’m gonna try my best way to make winning plays,” Ayton said. 

“That’s just it. Whether it’s me scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, cheering on my teammates, getting them going, making plays, just rolling to the rim, not getting the ball, it don’t matter. I’m just trying to show everybody I can do it all.”