It was a disappointing end of the year for the Phoenix Suns,. The Suns had the NBA’s best regular-season record last season, but saw their hopes of a deep playoff run get dashed by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs.
They will now look to retool ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season as they hope for a deeper playoff run next year. But they may be doing so without former 2018 NBA Draft first overall pick DeAndre Ayton.
Ayton is an pending restricted free agent with the Suns this offseason. It appears that the Suns may be looking for a sign-and-trade to potentially get something in return for the talented big man.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst discussed Ayton and that possibility on Monday on ESPN’s Get Up, where he said that the Indiana Pacers are “very close” to giving Ayton an offer sheet or potentially executing a sign-and-trade with the Suns as early as Monday.
“We believe that the Indiana Pacers are very close to giving Deandre Ayton an offer sheet or executing a sign-and-trade…We could see something with the Pacers and Ayton as early as today.” (via @WindhorstESPN) pic.twitter.com/6iKsfox82T
— The Trade Deadline (@_TradeDeadline) July 11, 2022
The Pacers recently traded veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics, which helped free up salary for a near-max contract offer that could be given to Ayton in free agency.
This report has many around the NBA world talking, with mixed reactions about the Suns potentially losing Ayton.
If it really just winds up being Deandre Ayton for Myles Turner in a straight up sign-and-trade, with no draft compensation, that’s an obvious net loss. At least you’d be getting a starting C ahead of a potential move for Kevin Durant, but man, that’d be underwhelming for DA
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) July 11, 2022
A Deandre Ayton for Myles Turner sign-and-trade makes almost too much sense for both the Pacers and Suns. https://t.co/hTk6opTekN
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 11, 2022
The Pacers only have $26.2 million in cap space, but they could reach a max offer sheet for Deandre Ayton by trading Goga Bitadze’s expiring contract. https://t.co/gcG6OVjRZI
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 11, 2022
Deandre Ayton versus Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley would be very fun to watch over the coming years.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) July 11, 2022
If the Pacers decide to offer Ayton a contract without a sign-and-trade, the Suns could match that offer and keep him on the team moving forward.
However, it appears that the Pacers may be inclined to do a sign-and-trade, with veteran center Myles Turner potentially being headed to Phoenix in return.
Ayton has been an extremely valuable piece for the Suns throughout his three-year career, averaging a double-double in each of his four seasons in the NBA.
An Ayton departure would also seemingly be a big hit for any potential trade for Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, who has been rumored to be interested in the Suns. Ayton has been cited as a piece potentially going to Brooklyn in a Durant trade.
There seem to be a number of potential outcomes for Ayton this offseason. But if Windhorst’s comments are any indication, we may see some action on him sooner rather than later.
