3 teams that should try buying low with Deandre Ayton trade
By Ian Levy
Deandre Ayton was watching from the bench as the Phoenix Suns’ season came to an end. A quick trade might be the best resolution for everyone involved.
By matching his offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers last summer, the Suns retained Deandre Ayton and at least tried to mend some fences. In retrospect, they may have just delayed the inevitable.
Signing with the Pacers made clear that Ayton wanted out but the Suns couldn’t lose him for nothing. They matched and then did their best to make it work this year, giving him a slightly larger offensive load and trying to demonstrate trust. But his teammates were reportedly frustrated with his inconsistency and effort and he missed Game 6 with a rib injury.
It seems clear it’s time for them to trade Ayton but every other team in the league sees the situation as well and they’ll have the leverage to keep the price reasonable. That means the Suns may have to settle for a less-than-thrilling package, just to recoup some value.
These three teams should definitely be trying to buy low on Deandre Ayton:
3. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are reportedly interested in re-signing Kyrie Irving but it’s not clear if he’ll want to come back. The Suns were also linked with Irving in February trade rumors and with new reports that they’ll shop Chris Paul this summer, both teams could solve a lot of problems for each other.
A sign-and-trade that sends Irving and JaVale McGee to Phoenix with Paul and Ayton going back to Dallas could make both teams better.
This is a bigger risk for Phoenix, requiring some sort of long-term commitment to Irving, him smoothing out any remaining animosity with Kevin Durant and then being willing to work into a roster that has two other perimeter scoring options who should clearly carry a larger load than him. But it sheds two problems, gives them a fresh start at point guard and perhaps the best perimeter scoring trio we’ve ever seen.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks save some face from the original Irving trade, get Paul as a stabilizing presence in the backcourt and get a 24-year-old big man with upside who can help at both ends of the floor.