Echoing comments made last week by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack article that Suns center Deandre Ayton – a restricted free agent this summer – may be the biggest name to change teams in the coming weeks.
Phoenix is “increasingly expected” to explore sign-and-trade scenarios involving Ayton, according to Stein, who says there’s plenty of skepticism around the NBA about the team’s desire to make a significant financial commitment to the young center.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report conveys a similar sentiment in his latest round-up of NBA rumors, suggesting there’s “considerable skepticism” that the Suns will re-sign Ayton. The Pistons, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Hawks, and Raptors have all been mentioned as possible suitors for the former No. 1 overall pick, Stein notes.
Here are a few more updates from Stein and Pincus on some of this year’s top free agents and trade candidates:
- According to Pincus, some sources believe that the Spurs (Jakob Poeltl), Bulls (Nikola Vucevic), Hawks (Clint Capela/John Collins), and Pacers (Myles Turner) are among the teams that could be willing to move their current centers in a package for one of the offseason’s top available big men (Ayton, Rudy Gobert, etc.). Grizzlies center Steven Adams also may be a summer trade candidate, though he’s well-liked in the locker room, says Pincus.
- While both Pincus and Stein have talked to sources who believe the Pacers are likely to keep Myles Turner, Stein notes that the situation could change if the big man wants to play out his expiring contract rather than agreeing to an extension, since Indiana may not want to risk losing him for nothing next year.
- According to Stein, one or two teams hopeful of landing Bradley Beal believe the All-Star guard wants to be the Dirk Nowitzki of D.C., sticking with the Wizards for his entire career.
- While Dario Saric‘s $9.24MM expiring contract makes him an obvious trade candidate, Pincus writes that the Suns are hopeful the forward can return to form after missing last season due to an ACL tear, and may not be looking to move him.
- If the Lakers have any hope of trading Russell Westbrook without including a first-round pick, they’ll likely have to take on at least one or two players earning $15-25MM annually on multiyear deals, Pincus writes, citing veterans like Davis Bertans and Duncan Robinson as hypothetical examples. Rival executives and agents don’t expect the Lakers to get clarity from LeBron James on his long-term intentions before the draft or free agency, which will complicate L.A.’s decision-making process — the team would be more comfortable taking on pricey multiyear contracts with a guarantee that LeBron is sticking around long-term, Pincus observes.
Suns won’t surrender a valuable asset like Ayton for nothing
Then they can keep him and lose him for nothing.
They can match any offer and keep him another year then trade him. Which to be honest may be all they have left in the CP3 window anyway.
He seems like the type to pout if it played out that way. I don’t get the feeling he loves the game.
He just wants to be paid. If he accepts an offer it means he’s in favor of that financial agreement regardless of where he goes. If the Suns match they simply say we’ll the market decided and we’re good with that.
They won’t lose him for nothing. They can match any offer. Also, it will be a major sign & trade.
Dirk won a ring for Dallas…
Beal ain’t winning ish….
Secondly the Ayton buzz.
I see the hawks getting him.
Clint Capela, this year first (16) and a future first.
Cut Gallo and let Wright walk frees up the necessary money
Trae Hueter Hunter Collins Ayton
I think the #1 reason PHX doesn’t retain Ayton (if so) will be because they don’t fundamentally agree paying a C 20+ mill a year today …So I don’t see the Capela angle
Capela is earning just under 19mil a season.
Which is a lot cheaper than giving Ayton the max which would be closer to 36mil
Plus they get 2 firsts including 1 this year in a year they have none
Double S&T for Mo Bamba. Okay be considerably cheaper.
Pretty sure Beal means he wants to stay loyal to the wizards. His career isn’t over either they could win a chip. Pretty hard to predict what a team will look like these days
Good idea in the article
Westbrook for veterans like Davis Bertans and Duncan Robinson
4-team deal?
Lakers get Davis Bertans and Duncan Robinson in return?
Lakers
Staying pat is insane
keeping Westbrook is insane
Westbrook sacrifice is insane
The Heat and Westbrook would be Hilarious. I see wall getting bought out and going to laker and Lakers cut Westbrook and he goes to DC.
John Wall situation is interesting. He has so much coming this season and I doubt he accepts a buy out of half that contract and signing for league minimum with the Heat or Lakers. He wants that money or he would have restructured his contract and moved to another club last season.
Jeez if Bulls could get Ayton for Vooch that would be great…I suppose they would have to add in to match the max salary Ayton wants…not sure on the math but that is surely an upgrade.
Ptedict Ayton will be Popovich’s next Aldredge.
Not LBJ’s job to make things easier for LAL, actually is management’s job to make things easier for LBJ, so his stand is just fine & dandy!
Wonder how happy Bron Bron is with his decision to go to La La Land now? Hmmmmm?
It’s LBJ mess too. He’s calling the shots there since he signed. If anything, maybe he should be thinking, “I can’t get it right and need to step back while letting the front office do their jobs. I’ll only add minimal input to whom I will play with without forcing the organization to bend over backwards. And he should be thinking, we need to get younger and faster.”
Ayton signed and traded for Pistons #5 and Jerami Grant. Who says no?
As a Piston fan I’d be a hard no. I’m ok with paying Ayton the max, but not at the added expense of a top 5 pick AND Grant. I’d like to see Grant stay or traded for #7+expiring contract. If we do sign and trade for Ayton they’re gonna have to take an unequal return. some kind of combo of Diallo, Jackson, Olynyk, and/or possibly Killian Hayes. If not, oh well, either try and sign him in RFA, or go after a guy like Mo Bamba. IF we had that #7 pick we could get our rim defending center in a guy like Jalen Duren.