Deandre Ayton was rumored to be one of the bigger names on the trading block this offseason, but John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM hears the Suns‘ starting center is “very unlikely” to be dealt (Twitter link).
The news isn’t exactly surprising. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that Phoenix’s efforts to trade Ayton haven’t been very fruitful so far, calling the big man’s market “lean” and saying there wasn’t an “obvious” deal to be made.
A big part of that is likely Ayton’s contract. He signed a maximum-salary offer sheet with Indiana last summer as a restricted free agent, which Phoenix quickly matched. The former No. 1 overall pick is owed $102MM over the next three seasons.
Ayton, who turns 25 next month, famously didn’t have a great relationship with former head coach Monty Williams. However, Gambadoro reported yesterday that new head coach Frank Vogel “loves” Ayton and suggested that would be a factor in favor of him sticking with the Suns.
Gambadoro previously reported that the Wizards were interested in acquiring Ayton in exchange for Bradley Beal, but the Suns weren’t interested in that deal. They ended up agreeing to trade Chris Paul and Landry Shamet (along with six second-round picks and four first-round pick swaps) to Washington, with Paul set to be rerouted to Golden State.
The Suns are expected to split Ayton’s large contract into multiple depth pieces if they do end up moving him, according to Gambadoro. Clearly, he’s pouring cold water on that possibility now.
Ayton has averaged a double-double in each of his five NBA seasons. In 2022/23, he posted 18.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG in 67 games (30.4 MPG), shooting 58.9% from the floor and 76.0% from the charity stripe.
Ayton to the Suns
The right decision. And while he may not love being a distant fourth banana on offense, I think having an actual adult as head coach will be a net gain for him overall. Plus, with the injury prone nature of the roster, there should still be periods of increased responsibility for him.
Part of the issue, I believe, is that a team cannot have more than one player on a “designated” rookie max extension. That was the issue with including him in the Durant trade because Ben Simmons is already that player for the Nets. The only way that would work for the Nets is if they were both involved in the trade for each other. Simmons would have to rebuild his value, if possible, before any trade like that could happen. He will probably play out his contract with the Nets because there’s no incentive for him to take a buyout.
This is actually incorrect. Ayton isn’t considered a designated rookie because he didn’t sign a five-year max extension with the Suns after his third season. link to hoopsrumors.com
For what it’s worth, in the new CBA teams will no longer face restrictions on how many players on Designated Rookie or Designated Veteran contracts they can carry. link to hoopsrumors.com
I think an offense dedicated to giving him 10-12 touched in the post when he’s set would be smart. Take some pressure off the perimeter and get some easy buckets.
Depending on the match-up he can be a legitimate post threat… seriously how can they not make this work
Trade idea
Kings get Ayton
Suns get Barnes, Mitchell , Davis and 1 First
Kings use cap room to save Suns $35mm luxury tax
Barnes salary starts at $15nm
No thanks
I like Ayton but that’s too much for him for the Kings. Some other teams maybe but they don’t really need him.
If Frank can do what Monte didn’t which is to light a fire under Ayton’s a$$, we could be in for a fun ride.
On the one hand, we’ve been hearing that this season is the one he’s gotta to put it together for a couple years. On the other hand, yeah, a coach who actually runs sets for him might make it happen. Back on the first hand, though, how many plays should he expect when he’s surrounded with All-Stars? All you should do is crash the boards and throw it down, big man!
Most high paid alphas in performance based businesses want to PROVE that their with that big contract. On almost any team with sense Dayton would be an easy 18+ points and 10+ rebounds. On many nights with more maturity a 25/12 big. He’s overqualified for the role he’ll likely be asked to play and overpaid because his role/usage is going to be stifled. When he’s playing 4th fiddle scoring 14 off putbacks and lobs with 10 rebounds he’s going to be called “played out back to the rim” big like DJ and Drummond were reduced to.
The Pacers and Hawks are still the ideal trade partners. Maybe Orlando or Detroit?
I would wager, that even if Detroit had zero bigs that the NBA’s highest paid Head Coach would never, ever, sign off on any trade involving “you let us down”…
Right. I forgot about that.
Detroit also has a grilled of bigs.
“Ton of”…not sure what happened.
Portland is ideal landing spot but I don’t see them pulling trigger because they couldn’t land a star player by trading #3 pick.
Their probably not finding enough interest to generate a suitable offer. I think their ears are still up but time isn’t of the essence here, they can give Ayton/Vogel 40 games together then re-gauge
*I think Phx will fill out better than most expect, sneaking Goodwin and Todd in was savvy, they shouldn’t feel rushed day 1 of free agency, day 3 is when they start looking appealing to outsiders.
I’ve read Vogel wants to work with Ayton , he might have been dealt yesterday if there isn’t something to that.
Send him to the Knicks. We’ll give you a bench and a rim protector…….
Stop the madness ….
Warriors get Ayton
Lakers get Draymond/Moody
Suns get Lakers young talents package
Maybe they will stick with him for now, see who of the drafted players and minimum contracts is worth something and maybe trade him towards the deadline?
Aytons value might have gone up by the n.
Ayton for the nets role players.
Ayton for DFS, ONeale and Mills.
Yes it’s not a start studded return but it helps fill the rotation up with decent players.
DFS and ONeale are two good 3 and D guys.
Wont take any touches away from the stars, happy to sit in the corner and take catch and shoot threes and defensively will step up and take the hard assignments.
Patty Mills is just a solid back up guard. Known to step up his game when needed. Can play a big role if you need him to like he does on the international stage. Hits clutch shots, spaces the floor and has playoff experience.
Lol. Phoenix is really going to become the 2023 Nets with that trade and Phoenix would definitely ask for Claxton. That line-up will still be food for Jokic. You at least have a fighting chance with Ayton still on the team to guard him.
Can ask for Claxton but I doubt they give him up. Use FA to sign a centre for cheap like Andre Drummond.
Beal Booker KD DFS Drummond
Mills Payne ONeale … …
If you think Ayton is overrated, that’s one thing. But he’s not bad at basketball.
Patty Mills is bad at basketball. If Ayton is traded for actually bad players, you might as we cut Ayton and sign Michael Kidd Gilchrist in free agency
I don’t think he’s overrated, quite the opposite I think he’s underrated but clearly there’s tension between him and the suns. He’s been on and off the trade block for 2 off seasons now.
Also your completely wrong Patty Mills is not bad at basketball. Clearly you just be about 16 years old. Mills was great coming off the bench for the Spurs and on the international stage has always been excellent for Australia. If you need a reminder the World Cup is just around the corner and Patty Buckets will be carrying Australia to the finals.
Ayton for Adams,kennard and a pick. Ayton for Capala and Bogdanović. Ayton for Myles Turner and theis. Ayton for Mark Williams and rozier or Hayward
Anyone?
Grizzlies won’t take that deal, Adams is huge for them with his screens, rebounding and leadership. Kennard was also brought in for his shooting.
I’ve mocked a couple times Ayton to ATL. I think it makes some sense but ATL would probably need a pick or 2 aswell.
Indy won happen.
But I do like the hornets idea particularly with Rozier. He’s be a really good guard either starting or off the bench. Provides offence, can play on or off the ball, can play defence occasionally too. Mark Williams is a solid young big man too who they could use in combination with a veteran on the minimum like Tristan Thompson, Andre Drummond.
Maybe they’d try ask for JT Thor and Bryce McGowens for depth aswell. Two guys the hornets won’t give minutes too but Suns could develop and give minutes too
Ayton to Indiana for Turner, Hield AND a lottery protected first.
Suns ger very good pieces.
Indiana gets its Center. Would thrive rhere.
Haliburton – Ayton pick AND roll would be amazing.
The foundation of a true rebuild.