The Phoenix Suns have stated their support for centre Deandre Ayton, despite the Philadelphia 76ers’ refusal to include Tobias Harris in any prospective trade. Ayton was instrumental in the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals last season, displaying his flexibility and defensive abilities.
Phoenix has entirely dedicated to the 24 years old ‘s long-term development and sees him as a future star alongside Devin Booker and Chris Paul. The Suns are confident in Dominayton’s potential to contribute and play an important role in the team’s future as they want to build on their current success.
Suns’ effort to ship out Deandre Ayton fails
According to league sources, Chris Haynes of TNT and the Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton will be kept by the team. The Suns believe that Ayton’s worth to the organisation has increased to an unparalleled level with the recent additions of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Phoenix is looking forward to watching the former first-round pick play with these elite athletes, including Devin Booker.
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Ayton’s skills have only found a small market for the Suns, despite earlier trade rumours surrounding him.The Suns would keep Ayton, according to local reporter John Gambadoro, who previously expressed that belief. This belief is now confirmed by Haynes’ most recent report.
The Suns will have a difficult time building their roster around their elite players if Ayton stays with the franchise. The majority of the salary cap will go towards Durant, Beal, Booker, and Ayton’s maximum contracts. The only player on the roster possibly earning neither the maximum nor the minimum pay is Cameron Payne, who is currently on a partly guaranteed contract.
The Suns will have few alternatives to bolster their roster as they traverse the summer. They will not be eligible for the bi-annual or mid-level exceptions, but they do have a $5 million trade exception. Additionally, they will have Bird rights for their own free agents, including Josh Okogie, Torrey Craig, Jock Landale, and Darius Bazley, allowing them to possibly keep these players.
Center to remain with Suns partnering the BIG 3
In recent years, the NBA has seen a trend of top-heavy rosters, when clubs sign superstar players while stocking the rest of the bench with cheap role players. For the next 2023–24 season, the Phoenix Suns appear to be employing this method to the fullest. In a recent three-team deal, they added Bradley ‘Big Panda’ Beal to their roster, joining him with KD and Booker to form the formidable “Big Three”.
Deandre Ayton, the 24-year-old centre for the Suns, was the subject of speculation regarding his future as there were discussions about maybe trading him to solve depth issues.The Suns, however, seem dedicated to the ‘Dominator’ Ayton and have faith in his abilities, according to recent sources. Because of his time with the Lakers, new head coach Frank Vogel has experience working with star player relationships.
Frank Vogel has shown trust in Ayton’s skills and stated that he wants to help him regain his All-Star status. Deandre’s trade value was constrained because of the years and money left on his contract, despite the Suns’ exploration of trade options for him on Monday night.
