The Phoenix Suns are expected to consider Deandre Ayton trades after acquiring Bradley Beal earlier in the week.
The Phoenix Suns swung the first blockbuster trade of the summer last Sunday by acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. Now with an expensive core of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, the general expectation is that the team will seek to move on from Deandre Ayton.
Ayton, a former No. 1 pick, signed a four-year extension worth $133 million last summer. While he has not publicly asked out, the relationship between Ayton and former head coach Monty Williams was notably strained for over a year. The 7-footer's deplorable effort level in Phoenix's second-round loss to the world-champion Nuggets became a major talking point.
Now Phoenix has a new coach and there are questions about Ayton's fit under Frank Vogel, who traditionally shapes his defense around elite rim protectors. Ayton has all the physical tools to fulfill that role, but he's not the defensive stalwart Vogel is accustomed to after coaching the likes of Anthony Davis and Roy Hibbert.
Ayton can absolutely fit as the fourth banana in Phoenix's new-look starting five, but it feels like a fresh start is necessary to unlock his full potential. Plus, the Suns desperately need to fill out the depth chart and balance the books financially. Getting off of Ayton's long-term money while potentially getting multiple rotation-level players in return is the dream.
Here are some trades that make sense both ways.
No. 3 Suns Deandre Ayton trade: Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic, James Wiseman
NBA insider Marc Stein recently suggested that Ayton could be traded for salary filler and no draft picks, which feels like the league overreacting to Ayton's wonky fifth season (a season in which he averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds on 59.7 percent shooting).
The Pistons should be wary about taking on a big-money center after Jalen Duren's success as a rookie, but Duren's rookie contract will expire at the same time as Ayton's current deal, so the team can maintain some long-term flexibility there.
In the meantime, Ayton was the No. 1 pick for a reason. He flashes tremendous offensive potential tied to his strength, footwork, and touch around the rim. Detroit has two talented playmakers who can set up Ayton around the rim. The Monty Williams reunion aspect might be untenable, but from a pure talent/value perspective, it's at least worth thinking about.
The Suns get Bojan Bogdanovic, who can sit on the wing and bury 3s while defenses work themselves into knots trying to contain the Durant-Booker-Beal triumvirate. James Wiseman can theoretically offer some of that rim protection Vogel values, but the former No. 2 pick is still more theoretical than actual with his production at this point (although he did manage some eye-popping stat lines down the stretch for wayward Detroit).
Ayton's value probably won't get lower than this. If this is all it takes to pique the Suns' interest, the Pistons can afford a wild swing on youth and talent. Ayton is 24 years old with the physique of a Greek god. The upside is still there.
No. 2 Suns Deandre Ayton trade: Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams
If feels like the Hornets have been searching for their long-term center since the beginning of time. Last season they finally stumbled upon a genuine fix in the form of Mark Williams, but Charlotte shouldn't let that prevent them for taking a swing on Ayton if the opportunity presents itself.
This is silly value for a former No. 1 pick of Ayton's caliber. He absolutely struggled last year; it was his least efficient offensive campaign to date. But we have a healthy track record of Ayton being a dominant interior scorer with the tools to expand his game in a different setting.
Charlotte can slot him alongside one of the game's preeminent playmakers in LaMelo Ball. Whether the Hornets go with Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick in Thursday's draft, the team will have a new pick-and-roll partner to unleash with Ayton in the halfcourt.
The Hornets were eighth in transition possessions per game last season, but the halfcourt offense frequently struggled. Ayton has flashed the ability to create his own offense in the post or facing up on the elbow. Projecting forward, he's a potential solution to their halfcourt woes.
Plus, what better coach to get Ayton locked into the defensive fundamentals than Steve Clifford? Ayton has every tool required to be an elite rim protector. The Monty Williams relationship went bust, but perhaps Clifford can coax the best out of him.
For Phoenix, the appeal is simple: an expiring contract in Gordon Hayward (who can still start and contribute to winning) plus Mark Williams, who can gobble up Ayton's lost minutes in the center spot. Williams is a more prolific shot-blocker than Ayton and adheres to Vogel's traditional preferences in the middle. Two second-round picks can help Phoenix flesh out the rest of the depth chart.
No. 1 Suns Deandre Ayton trade: Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Eric Gordon
The Clippers have been looking for a talent upgrade at center for a while. Deandre Ayton can certainly deliver at a discount. The Suns would have to consent to trading Ayton in the same division, but Los Angeles has a nice collection of rotation-level wings on expiring contracts that could scratch an itch for Phoenix.
Los Angeles already has a competent starting 7-footer in Ivica Zubac. LA could toggle between the two depending on matchups, but Ayton and Zubac are both drop coverage defenders (Ayton worse on defense, much more dynamic on offense). The Clippers would probably follow this move with a Zubac trade, which could net them additional help elsewhere.
Ty Lue is the craftiest coach in basketball. Letting him tinker with Ayton's skill set would be a good way to get the most out of the former No. 1 pick. Ayton would be in prime position to contend also, which isn't the case with the previous two trades. Having been almost exclusively competitive over the years with Phoenix, one has to imagine Ayton has limited appetite for losing.
The Clippers get a little younger too, which is probably smart given the finite competitive window of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Ayton is best suited to third-banana status on a good team, but he offers a bridge to the future. That can't really be said for anyone else on the Clippers roster.
Phoenix gets their starting power forward in Nicolas Batum, who continues to hit 3s, defend all over the place, and supply rock-solid role-player attributes despite his advanced age. Eric Gordon is also a productive vet with postseason experience. Both are on expiring deals, so Phoenix can clean the books up next summer. The No. 30 pick rounds out the first round of Thursday's NBA Draft and gives the Suns a young player under team control for the next eight years at least.
