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Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton trade speculation, rumors intensify after Bradley Beal deal

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
·8 min read
44

The Phoenix Suns have made the first huge splash of the NBA offseason by landing guard Bradley Beal in a huge trade with the Washington Wizards.

Could they soon make another huge splash by trading center Deandre Ayton?

NBA trade speculation is swirling around the Suns big man after Phoenix's trade for Beal, with many NBA insiders speculating about the former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick's future in Arizona.

Could Phoenix trade Ayton for roster depth behind Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant?

NBA trade speculation surrounds Deandre Ayton in the aftermath of the Bradley Beal trade for the Phoenix Suns:

The Big Lead: Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks potential trade destination for Deandre Ayton

Liam McKeone writes: "Phoenix, however, still has one asset they can trade to bring back rotation players to build out the roster: Deandre Ayton. He averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season while improving his rim protection a bit. Nobody thinks Ayton is worth the $30ish million annually he's making but he's also still only 24 years-old and the physical potential is very obvious. Somebody in the NBA thinks they can turn Ayton into a dominant big man with a change of scenery, one that both sides would probably welcome given how chilly things have been over the last two years."

Bradley Beal trade grades: NBA title or bust for Phoenix Suns with Washington Wizards deal

For the Win: 7 potential Deandre Ayton trades after Bradley Beal deal

Charles Curtis has the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets among the potential landing spots for Ayton.

One of them has Phoenix getting Royce O'Neal from the Nets Brooklyn Nets and John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks in a wild 4-team trade.

Deandre Ayton trade speculation is swirling after the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Bradley Beal.
Deandre Ayton trade speculation is swirling after the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Bradley Beal.

Heavy.com: Suns 'confident' in dealing Deandre Ayton after Bradley Beal trade

An NBA GM told Sean Deveney: “There are teams that will come calling for him. The Suns know that. He is on the backburner but they’re ready to move him as soon as the right thing comes along. And at this point, if they can get a couple of really solid role players, that will be the right thing for them. That might not happen until we get into Summer League, though.”

One NBA executive told him: “They (the Suns) are confident they can get something done. Not everybody is going to get just what they want in the next two weeks in the draft and trades and free agency, and if Deandre is not already gone, he is going to look very good to a team like Portland or Charlotte or Dallas.”

More: Bradley Beal trade gives Phoenix Suns the superteam that Devin Booker predicted in 2018

Clutch Points: Are Boston Celtics an option for Deandre Ayton?

Paolo Songco writes: "Ayton is under contract with the Suns for the next three years, where he is going to pocket over $100 million. This is a number that the Celtics seem uncomfortable with, so it appears that Boston will be looking elsewhere to fill their frontcourt needs. The 6-foot-11 center would have been a good addition for Boston, but as it turns out, not at that price."

SB Nation: Math doesn't work for Suns to keep Deandre Ayton

Dave King writes: "I’m sure they would love to keep Ayton, but the math just doesn’t work with the salary cap limitations. The Suns have to trade him for quantity in the form for 2-3 quality rotation players and hopefully a first round pick or two. That seems paltry for a former No. 1 overall pick with career averages of 16 points and 10 rebounds per game who set a new league record for most double-doubles in a playoffs at age 22 or younger. But Ayton and the Suns have had a strained relationship for years that culminated poorly for the team in the last two playoff runs."

Commentary: Bradley Beal is a great player, but he doesn't fit in Phoenix

NBA trade speculation swirled around Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns on NBA Twitter:

Reaction: Suns fans, social media react to Chris Paul in trade package for Wizards star Bradley Beal

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: Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton trade rumors swirl after Bradley Beal deal