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

No. 1 Suns Deandre Ayton trade: Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Eric Gordon

The Clippers have been looking for a talent upgrade at center for a while. Deandre Ayton can certainly deliver at a discount. The Suns would have to consent to trading Ayton in the same division, but Los Angeles has a nice collection of rotation-level wings on expiring contracts that could scratch an itch for Phoenix.

Los Angeles already has a competent starting 7-footer in Ivica Zubac. LA could toggle between the two depending on matchups, but Ayton and Zubac are both drop coverage defenders (Ayton worse on defense, much more dynamic on offense). The Clippers would probably follow this move with a Zubac trade, which could net them additional help elsewhere.

Ty Lue is the craftiest coach in basketball. Letting him tinker with Ayton’s skill set would be a good way to get the most out of the former No. 1 pick. Ayton would be in prime position to contend also, which isn’t the case with the previous two trades. Having been almost exclusively competitive over the years with Phoenix, one has to imagine Ayton has limited appetite for losing.

The Clippers get a little younger too, which is probably smart given the finite competitive window of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Ayton is best suited to third-banana status on a good team, but he offers a bridge to the future. That can’t really be said for anyone else on the Clippers roster.

Phoenix gets their starting power forward in Nicolas Batum, who continues to hit 3s, defend all over the place, and supply rock-solid role-player attributes despite his advanced age. Eric Gordon is also a productive vet with postseason experience. Both are on expiring deals, so Phoenix can clean the books up next summer. The No. 30 pick rounds out the first round of Thursday’s NBA Draft and gives the Suns a young player under team control for the next eight years at least.