The Suns are moving forward with their plan to hang onto center Deandre Ayton, league sources tell Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report (Twitter link).
According to Haynes, Phoenix believes Ayton’s value – to the franchise, if not on the trade market – is at an “all-time high” following the additions of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal this year. The Suns want to see the former No. 1 overall pick play alongside those stars, and Devin Booker, Haynes adds.
The rumor mill has been all over the place on Ayton so far this offseason. His name popped up in trade rumblings after the team agreed to acquire Beal, but a subsequent report said the Suns found a “lean” market when they gauged the big man’s value.
After plugged-in local reporter John Gambadoro said on Friday that he didn’t expect Phoenix to move Ayton, the 24-year-old was mentioned in another trade rumor on Saturday, but Gambadoro emphatically shot down that report and reiterated that Ayton is likely to remain with the Suns. Haynes’ new report echoes what Gambadoro has been saying.
Assuming they do hang onto Ayton, the Suns will be extremely limited as they attempt to fill out their roster around their stars. Cameron Payne, whose $6.5MM salary is currently partially guaranteed, may end up being the only player on the roster who isn’t earning the maximum or the minimum.
Among the Suns’ players with guaranteed salaries for 2023/24, Durant, Beal, Booker, and Ayton are on max deals, while Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd have minimum-salary contracts. The club won’t have access to the mid-level or bi-annual exception this summer, but does have a $5MM trade exception and will have some form of Bird rights on its own free agents, including Darius Bazley (Bird), Jock Landale (Early Bird), Torrey Craig (Early Bird), and Josh Okogie (Non-Bird).
Ayton to New Orleans for JoVal, Nance, Kira Lewis Jr & 2 future 2nds for Ayton is a pretty good deal for everyone involved, especially if the Pels can re-sign Jaxson Hayes… link to m.youtube.com
Did you read the article? Suns insist he is staying. Better to propose the vet min guys they can fill out their bench with.
Wise up Steve, just bc some writer says what the Suns insist on doing don’t make it law. And either way it’s a pretty good deal for everyone involved, as previously stated.
How dare you! A fan, on a rumor site, suggest a trade, of any kind. Just ludicrous.
]sarcasm[
It’s better for them to see how it goes. They already fired everybody that had a problem with Ayton. CP3, Monty and Shamet.
At the deadline there is 3rd and 4th year guys available for 2nds. The market for Ayton would be great, he’s gonna be efficient and productive.
Besides there is 2 many variables, like injuries that can happen before the deadline that might change the direction of what you want back.
That’s a terrible package for Ayton.
Creo que Duran y Beal van a empezar a decaer o estaran en la lista de los lesionados.
Duran Duran the rock band?
Básicamente el futuro de los Suns va atado a la salud de KD y Beal. Y vistos los historiales de ambos, cada vez que caigan al suelo sus seguidores se echarán a temblar me temo
The Sun’s are the only team that should go long into the new CBA. There is no reason to trade a double double guy because the last coach didn’t like him.
Keeping the rest via the Birds is there best bet to keep the continuity they have going.
Translation: Nobody is giving in to our outrageous trade demands.
Ayton simply isn’t a star or top player. This plagues lots of teams who massively over value one player and it prevents them from doing what’s best for the team. If they can’t trade Ayton for some roster depth it’s going to be a long season in Phoenix.
They should have done a sign and trade with the pacers when they had the chance
It’s best for Ayton to get out of Phoenix, but he will stay. His numbers will decline and people will say well he isn’t living up the contract.
Actually, they said that – and it was true – all of last season.
If you were trying to move him you don’t wAnt teams lowballing you so this makes sense. Ayton was very soft at times in playoffs I think he still gets moved
Resign Craig, jock, Lee , Bismack, Josh and Warren. Keep Ayton