What is Phoenix’s Future with Ayton?
The Suns selected center Deandre Ayton second overall in the 2018 draft, and since then has been a part of the culture change in Phoenix. He was a key part of their 2021 finals run and throughout their 64 win season in 2022, but his time in Phoenix may be coming to an end. After a shocking end to the 2022 season for the Suns, all focus shifts to the question of what will happen with Ayton next. According to various reports on ESPN and CBS Sports, it seems more likely than not that he puts on a different jersey on opening night of the 2022-23 season. Luckily for Phoenix, the 23 year old center out of Arizona is a restricted free agent, meaning Phoenix can match any contract he gets elsewhere, most likely a max deal. Due to that, there are a few different things Phoenix can do with the big man.
Option 1: Offer him the max/match his offer
This option is by far the easiest and most simple solution to the Ayton dilemma, but no longer the most likely. In the summer of 2021 there was a lot of speculation on whether or not Robert Sarver would offer Ayton the max, and when that did not happen it came as somewhat of a surprise to both the fans and Deandre himself. I mean, coming off an NBA finals run after not making the playoffs in a decade, you would assume Sarver would want to bring back that core, especially given how young Ayton is and the fact that they took him with the 1st overall pick. Nonetheless, Sarver wanted Ayton to prove that he was worth the money in the 2022 season. He put together an efficient 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game, while making big strides on the defensive side of the ball and in mid-range game, even extending his range to the 3 point line at times. Throughout the 2022 playoff run he put up similar numbers as the regular season putting up 17.9 points and 8.9 rebounds, but had well known frustrations with Monty and within the locker room.
Option 2: Sign and Trade
The next option is to do a sign and trade deal with Ayton to get something in return for the big man. Unfortunately, since Ayton still has a year left on his deal, the Suns can only get 60% of money back within the trade, meaning if Kevin Durant or a similar superstar would want to be an addition to the Valley, they’ll have to wait another year. Some sign and trades that would make sense for Phoenix would be Deandre Ayton to the Utah Jazz for center Rudy Gobert. It is clear that there are problems within the Jazz organization, and either Rudy or Donovan Mitchell needed to go, or both. Some will argue this is an upgrade for the Suns as Gobert is a multiple time all-star and DPOY, but we’ve seen in the playoffs what happens to him against stars who attempt to exploit him- let’s just say it doesn't go well for him. Another potential deal would be Ayton and Landry Shamet to Indiana for Malcom Brogdon and Myles Turner. The Suns will get a shot blocker and defensive presence as well as a proven guard in Brogdon to come in and make an impact off the bench. All of these deals are just speculation and it all depends on what other teams are willing to give up for DA.
Option 3: Let him walk.
Regardless how you feel about Deandre Ayton, it’s safe to say it would be tough to watch a former number 1 overall pick walk away from the franchise just four years later and to get nothing out of it. Ayton has been through very high highs and very low lows with Phoenix and its fan base, and to watch him move in so shortly into the Suns success would be difficult. Whether we like it or not, Ayton will get a max in markets such as Charlotte and Sarver may make the decision to let one of the original Valley Boys walk.
