Three Most Likely Trade Destinations for Deandre Ayton

Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports

Ever since Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns, many insiders started reporting that the Suns were looking to trade Deandre Ayton. The Suns are in desperate need of some depth. Currently, the Suns only have 6 players on their roster. Outside of their four stars, the Suns have no players who will realistically give them quality minutes come playoff time. The best solution for this is to trade Ayton to try and get a solid bench to run with their three other All-Stars. Here are three teams that could provide the Suns with the depth that they so desperately need.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are a team that has had a lot of potential over the last few years but each season have failed to live up to it. It has also recently been reported that the Pelicans have put center Jonas Valanciunas on the trade block. The Pelicans trading Valanciunas as part of a package for Ayton is definitely risky, however, the Pelicans need to start making changes and this could help them win more games next year. The trade could look something like this:

Suns receive Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., and Kira Lewis Jr.

Pelicans receive: Deandre Ayton

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks had a disappointing season this year after making the conference just one season ago. The Mavs went all out on a Kyrie trade and it proved to be unsuccessful. The Mavericks have no choice but to bring back Kyrie and hope for some changes, however, they could add more star power on top of it. The Mavs also need a center to replace Christian Wood’s production so a trade between the two teams seems fairly likely. The trade could look something like this:

Suns receive: Tim Haradway Jr., Richaun Holmes, Frank Ntilikina, and two future second-round picks

Mavericks receive: Deandre Ayton

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors can go in two very different directions this offseason. They can choose to go the rebuild route and trade their star player for draft picks and build around Scottie Barnes, however, they could also try to retool the roster around Siakam. One way in which they could do this is by improving the center position. Adding a player like Ayton could increase the ceiling of this team and it would also mean they don’t have to pay Jakob Poeltl. The trade could look something like this:

Raptors receive: Deandre Ayton

Suns receive: Gordon Hayward, Otto Porter Jr., Dennis Smith Jr., Precious Achiuwa, the number 13 pick in the 2023 NBA draft (Via Toronto), a 2024 second-round pick (Via Charlotte), and a 2025 second-round pick (Via Charlotte)

Hornets Receive: Jakob Poeltl (Sign and Trade)