Deandre Ayton is believed to be a prime trade candidate but new Suns coach Frank Vogel feels he can get more out of the enigmatic center, he told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
“I have history with having great success with the elite rim protectors and with bigs in general. And I feel like I can take a lot of those lessons and use them to help restore Deandre to a place of prominence in this organization and in this league,” Vogel said. “He obviously has an immense amount of talent, and the talent fits the way I have played throughout my career. So I think he can be in an elite, dominant, defensive center in my system.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Fred VanVleet‘s decision to decline his player option could influence how the Suns handle the Chris Paul situation, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. The Suns could have a dynamic backcourt for years to come if they could land VanVleet in a sign-and-trade with the Raptors, but they first have to figure whether they’ll waive, retain, or trade Paul, who has a partially guaranteed contract.
- Speaking of Paul, Gerald Bourguet of GoPhnx.com explores 10 hypothetical trades the Suns could make involving their aging future Hall of Famer. Bourguet ultimately concludes it’s more likely that teams would rather wait to see if Paul is waived and then bid for his services.
- Big man Adama Sanogo of national champion UConn was among the draft prospects who worked out for the Lakers on Tuesday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin tweets. Taevion Kinsey (Marshall), Taylor Funk (Utah St), Tosan Evbuomwan (Princeton) and Nathan Mensah (San Diego State) were among the other visitors.
I do believe Frank increases Aytons chances of staying. He really got the most outta McGee and Howard in LA as he states
Finding anything more than Marcus Morris Covington and Coffey from Clips is going to be challenging in a Paul trade. Perhaps a 3 team trade with 1 of the teams looking to just cash dump is possible but the names going to PHX wont be much better than that Clip package
For what its worth I think Paul would be most useful to the Clippers, RW shined w/out KL/PG, when they come back you dont want Russ taking 20 shots a game and thats what he does
Lakers need to trade up
Young talents for #3
Even if the Lakers had the assets, which they don’t, why would Portland send the #3 pick in the draft to a division rival? Not happening
of course they’re happy to due business with a division rival if the owner is in the Microsoft family (Ballmer). They gave the Clippers Powell and Covington for close to nothing.
I always saw Ayton as an offensive force coming into the league. Then Suns got Title aspirations. And he became more a defensive presence and third or fourth option on offense. Imo he’s never been used right or developed to maximize his talent and strengths. I must say that Jokic did make him look human. But I remember Hakeem owning Shaq in Finals.
I do believe Vogel is a good choice here. Ayton has untapped potential as a big. Defense is certainly a place where he can improve. But like I said. I see a 24 pts 12 reb a gm center. He plays solid D. Then he’s on his way to fulfilling his potential. Rooting for him ………
I’d love to have him on Knicks ….
I doubt Suns move him. He’s undervalued right now.
If you’re saying that he needs to improve his D(pause) after his 6th season. Then sorry to break it to you man. What are the chances that it will ever happen? That is something that can’t be taught. Defense is just straight effort & for some players it’s natural.
The Suns are on the brink of ruin. They gave up their best young player for an old and tired KD. The window has closed.