Deandre Ayton trade speculation swirls after Phoenix Suns' Game 6 loss to Denver Nuggets
Could the Phoenix Suns trade Deandre Ayton this NBA offseason?
Who might want to acquire the center?
What could Phoenix get in return for him?
NBA trade speculation started swirling around Ayton, a former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick by the Suns, after Phoenix's 125-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of their NBA Playoff series at Footprint Center on Thursday night.
Ayton did not play in the game because of a rib contusion.
Deandre Ayton trade speculation swirls after Game 6 loss for Suns
ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote that the Suns could be heading to a trade with Ayton.
He wrote: “Ayton would be excited about a fresh start with another franchise, sources told ESPN. The Suns are expected to aggressively explore the trade market for him this summer, league sources said. Although Ayton had a disappointing series against Denver — getting benched down the stretch of the Suns’ Game 3 win and frequently dominated by two-time MVP center Nikola Jokic — league sources expect several teams to show interest in acquiring the 24-year-old, who averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this season.”
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VOTE: Should the #Suns trade Deandre Ayton in the #NBA offseason? (Trade speculation swirls: https://t.co/rPBB7J7g8c) #WeAreTheValley @azcentral
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) May 12, 2023
An NBA GM told Heavy.com's Sean Deveney after Game 6 that it's "almost certain" Phoenix will try to trade Ayton.
“It’s almost certain they will look into trading him. I think they feel like they can do all right with a mishmash of decent centers and changing their focus on getting better talent around those two star guys,” the GM said. “That’s been true for the past couple of years, really. Deandre has butted heads with Monty (Williams). But he can be a great player, still, it just needs to be somewhere else.
“It is a tough market for trading centers, though. They are about to find that out. The team that might be the most interesting getting into that mix is Chicago, and I’ve heard he’s on the list, at least. Lot still depends on the (draft) lottery.”
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Deveney also reported that the Suns are not looking to spend a lot of money on the center position.
"Chicago and Phoenix potentially could do a sign-and-trade for Nikola Vucevic," Deveney wrote, "but the Suns are not prioritizing a big expenditure on a center if they move Ayton, sources told Heavy Sports.
Heavy Sports speculated about DeMar DeRozen's fit in Phoenix, while also suggesting the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets as potential landing spots for Ayton.
“So they need to shake up that roster, and that is going to mean seeing what is out there for (Ayton)," an Eastern Conference executive told the site.
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NBA Twitter trade speculation around Deandre Ayton ran rampant after the Suns' loss
I also spoke with a source today that told me teams & GMs think the Suns didn't do a good job of maximizing Ayton full potential and look at the rise of Mikal Bridges as an example as to why they should pursue Deandre Ayton. The Suns will have plenty of options to upgrade roster!
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) May 12, 2023
In regards to Ayton there is a market for him & a handful of teams that would take the remaining 3 years on his contract. After trying hard to move him last year but RFA making it difficult, the Suns will again look move Ayton! I'm told Dallas, Toronto & Portland have interest.
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) May 12, 2023
The Suns will have plenty of options available to them on the trade market for CP3 & Deandre Ayton this offseason. Teams are interested in CP3s contact structure & ability to shed salary, while Ayton has suitors who believe he's got untapped potential & was misused by the Suns!
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) May 12, 2023
Totally not surprised that the Deandre Ayton trade rumors are already out in big swing.
And yes, I'd do DeMar for him if I'm Chicago, as long as I knew I could S&T Vučević to somewhere else for some type of return.— Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) May 12, 2023
Currently eyeball deep in Deandre Ayton trade scenarios for tomorrow's show. I think there are 5 possibilities and two real clear frontrunners.
— Jody Oehler (@radiojody) May 12, 2023
Who's the best player you would trade for Deandre Ayton?
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) May 12, 2023
y’all can go crazy with the trade machines and what not, but make sure you start off with this question: which teams are willing to pay deandre ayton $102 million over the next three years?
indiana’s on that list (barring newfound love for myles turner) but who else?— damon allred (@iamdamonallred) May 11, 2023
this brings up the idea of a DeMar for Ayton trade and I really don't know why the Suns would want to trade for DeMar. guess they could take the most mid-range shots of all time lol https://t.co/blh8AfWdJY
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) May 12, 2023
There have actually been some rumors of a Kyrie for Ayton trade. And the Mavs are reportedly the ones interested in it
— RipCitySquid🌹 (@RipCitySquid) May 12, 2023
What do you think: Should the Suns trade Deandre Ayton?
More: Denver Nuggets eliminate Phoenix Suns from NBA Playoffs with Game 6 rout
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Deandre Ayton trade speculation swirls after Phoenix Suns' season ends
