In case you hadn’t heard, the Suns drastically remade their roster this week, trading several picks and young talent in exchange for one of the greatest players in league history, who is still arguably in his prime. But that doesn’t mean there won’t still be questions about at least one of the team’s other priciest players going forward.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there’s skepticism that Phoenix management truly values Suns starting center Deandre Ayton at his salary of $33MM per year. Fischer suggests that the big man’s long-term future in Phoenix remains “curious.”
Ayton is in the first year of new contract with the Suns, signed only after a maximum offer sheet was tendered by the Pacers this summer. He’s averaging 18.4 PPG on 58.6% shooting from the floor, 10.3 RPG, 2.1 APG and 0.7 BPG.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- Lakers All-Star power forward LeBron James will be sidelined by ankle soreness Thursday against the Bucks, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. McMenamin writes that James will be available for a pregame ceremony to commemorate him setting the NBA’s all-time scoring record on Tuesday. L.A. did already celebrate the moment with a mid-game video montage, a presentation from league commissioner Adam Silver and the previous scoring record holder, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and speeches from James and Silver.
- The situation with former Lakers reserve point guard Russell Westbrook had devolved so drastically in the last week that L.A.’s coaching staff might have pushed to waive him had he stuck on the roster through the trade deadline, according to Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic. The Athletic’s duo cites sources who referred to the situation as “toxic.” Westbrook is currently with the Jazz, but is widely expected to be bought out.
- At today’s trade deadline, the Warriors essentially flipped 2020 No. 2 draft pick James Wiseman for Gary Payton II in a four-team deal. Payton departed Golden State in free agency last summer, but the Warriors wanted to bring back a reliable veteran who had already proven his mettle with the team during its 2020 title run, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Thank you Lacob for not giving up on 2023 Warriors!!! Go Warriors !!
Lol and GS fans said Wiseman had a lot of value.
Link tool sends us to Gary Payton I, not Gary Payton II.
It is pretty funny that they traded Wiseman essentially for a guy that was already on their roster and whom they could have just resigned and moved Wiseman for picks.
ZA, don’t be afraid to Google and educate yourself on why things went the way they did. BTW, they don’t sign Divincenzo if Payton was still there. Now, they luckily have both. And spent less for them due to Wiseman trade.
ZA I think is right. Should’ve moved Wiseman earlier for better value (likely a first round pick). Sign DiVincenzo and then resign GP2.
Roster money wise would’ve been exactly what it is now but you’d have better value for Wiseman
Lets be nice to Westbrook. I thought he still played his heart out for the Lakers this yr and that’s something to be admired. He clearly has learned and understands his stature in nba has changed. Hopefully he ages gracefully in nba and not become another Melo.
Why? He absolutely has been the Achilles heel for that team for 2 years. Nothing to be respected about.
More proof that LeBron is a garbage GM and should stick to the court.
He’s actually been great this year, arguably sixth man of the year. It’s just his deal doesn’t match his production. If he was on 10mil a year he’d be called amazing value
idk why Utah doesn’t just keep him.. can help them get in the Play-in
The Warriors are genius! Give up the former #2 pick for a guy you could of signed for free in the off season.
Please clue us in on how the Warriors can sign Gary Payton when their cap limit expenditure is around $6 million tax payer max, and the Portland Trail Blazers offer around 9 million dollars? Are you saying Gary Payton should have taken a 3 million pay cut to re-sign with the Warriors?
Okay just found out the reason why. Warriors held Gary Payton’s EARLY bird rights. I stand corrected but still confused. Back to the definitions page for understanding.
ESPN Brian Windhorst said
Westbrook killed Lakers last two years.
That is crazy
He doesn’t know about basketball. He is basically a LeBron paparazzi.
Who will they blame when the Lakers get bounced in the first round this year (if they get that far).
Ridding themselves of Westbrook and Beverly alone is deserving of a championship parade.
With those two in the lockerroom, players were probably more comfortable wearing their practice gear from home to practice, and just going straight to the court, just to avoid being in the lockerroom around those two small yellow bus guys.
Addition by subtraction.