Although it seemed like a certainty, the Suns haven’t traded Deandre Ayton and if he’s to remain he might be a participant that makes or breaks their title hopes.
Ayton had his justifiable share of points with former head coach Monty Williams, which in the end led to some passivity on the courtroom from the massive man.
But incoming coach Frank Vogel has stated that he’s “intent on really connecting with him” and appears dedicated to getting his sport again to the place it was.
“Ayton is the make-or-break factor in Phoenix’s defense being good enough to win four playoff series,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe wrote. “He developed from a confused, out-of-his-depth rookie into a reliable centerpiece during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run. As last season unraveled, the balance Ayton had worked so hard to hone eluded him.”
Dallas and Indiana had been two suitors that emerged for Ayton however nothing eventuated.
The Suns went in in a unique route by buying and selling away Chris Paul and buying gamers like Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon and Yuta Watanabe.
There is nothing on the market price Phoenix’s whereas which is why they haven’t traded Ayton, Lowe believes.
“There is no viable trade right now turning Ayton into the kinds of players (or picks) that would maintain or boost the Suns’ NBA title odds, per league sources,” Lowe stated. “The Suns’ top priority — from Ishbia to Ayton and down to the 15th man — should be doing whatever it takes to repair their relationship with Ayton, to lift him back up. The Suns’ likely path toward a good-enough defense is switching a ton across the perimeter while keeping Ayton closer to the paint as the last line.”
The 25-year-old can have a brand new, larger man to probably compete with at middle this season since Phoenix additionally signed Bol Bol of their very busy offseason.
Maybe having somebody to compete with will unlock an Ayton of outdated.
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