After a loss in the second round to the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns’ season came to a disappointing end. They won a league-best 64 games but were unable to make it back to the NBA Finals.
In the aftermath of the postseason, the Suns have made it known they do not plan on signing young starting center Deandre Ayton to an extension. Ayton is just 23 years old and only one year removed from reaching the NBA Finals.
While the Sun’s choosing not to keep Ayton may come as a surprise to some NBA fans, the price tag to keep him in Phoenix would be hefty, and Suns owner Robert Sarver is well known for his reluctance to dip into the luxury tax.
NBA Trades: The Dallas Mavericks are the perfect fit for Deandre Ayton
Because Ayton is a restricted free agent, and most teams would not have the cap space to sign him outright. The most likely route out of Phoenix for Ayton would be through a sign-and-trade. After the offseason dust has settled and most free agents have landed on their new teams, Ayton remains a free agent.
The exact cause of this could be one of many reasons. Kevin Durant notably requested a trade out of Brooklyn and thus some teams may be waiting to see where he falls before making another major move.
Ayton also plays a style of basketball that is more reminiscent of older bruising centers that dominated the paint and lacked shooting ability. However, at only 23 years of age, I believe the upside of Deandre Ayton is much higher than anything he has accomplished this far in the NBA.
Regardless of the reason, Ayton remains available, and I believe there is one team in particular that should take the leap and trade for the young big man – the Dallas Mavericks.
Yes, I understand Dallas just beat Phoenix in the playoffs, and thus, just beat Deandre Ayton. However, in the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks’ need for a true big man was on display.
Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney dominated them on the boards, and without effective rim protectors, Golden State easily scored in the paint all series long. Dwight Powell did an admirable job starting for the Mavericks throughout the playoffs, however, at only 6’10, he lacks the size and athleticism needed to get Dallas to the NBA Finals.
I think that adding Ayton to the roster could meaningfully address their largest area of need. He also fits Luka Donic’s timeline perfectly and both young stars could grow into a dynamic duo together. I also feel their play styles would suit one another very well, with Doncic being a maestro of the pick, and roll and Ayton serving as a rim running partner.
The biggest block to obtaining Ayton, unfortunately, would be the return the Mavericks are able to offer. The Mavericks do not have the ability to sign Ayton outright, thus they would have to send something to Phoenix in return. The best package Dallas can offer would look something like this.
I imagine the trade package would have to resemble that of Rudy Gobert or Dejounte Murray. The Mavericks have no one player who could fill the salary and would be desirable enough for an Ayton swap.
So instead, Dallas could use the contracts of Bertans and THJ to make the money work, and then add draft compensation to sweeten the deal. If they are willing to pay such a price, I truly believe that Ayton and Luka could grow into one of the better duos in the entire NBA.
Both players in their young NBA careers have already reached impressive heights, but together, both at only 23 years old, the sky would truly be the limit for a Luka/Deandre Ayton pairing.