3 Deandre Ayton trades the Suns have to consider after Bradley Beal trade

No. 2 Suns Deandre Ayton trade: Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams

If feels like the Hornets have been searching for their long-term center since the beginning of time. Last season they finally stumbled upon a genuine fix in the form of Mark Williams, but Charlotte shouldn’t let that prevent them for taking a swing on Ayton if the opportunity presents itself.

This is silly value for a former No. 1 pick of Ayton’s caliber. He absolutely struggled last year; it was his least efficient offensive campaign to date. But we have a healthy track record of Ayton being a dominant interior scorer with the tools to expand his game in a different setting.

Charlotte can slot him alongside one of the game’s preeminent playmakers in LaMelo Ball. Whether the Hornets go with Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s draft, the team will have a new pick-and-roll partner to unleash with Ayton in the halfcourt.

The Hornets were eighth in transition possessions per game last season, but the halfcourt offense frequently struggled. Ayton has flashed the ability to create his own offense in the post or facing up on the elbow. Projecting forward, he’s a potential solution to their halfcourt woes.

Plus, what better coach to get Ayton locked into the defensive fundamentals than Steve Clifford? Ayton has every tool required to be an elite rim protector. The Monty Williams relationship went bust, but perhaps Clifford can coax the best out of him.

For Phoenix, the appeal is simple: an expiring contract in Gordon Hayward (who can still start and contribute to winning) plus Mark Williams, who can gobble up Ayton’s lost minutes in the center spot. Williams is a more prolific shot-blocker than Ayton and adheres to Vogel’s traditional preferences in the middle. Two second-round picks can help Phoenix flesh out the rest of the depth chart.