The NBA has seen plenty of top-heavy rosters in recent years with front offices acquiring big names and picking up cheap role players to fill out the rest of the bench. The 2023-24 Suns may be pushing that strategy to its absolute limit.
On Saturday, Phoenix officially landed Bradley Beal as part of a three-team deal with the Pacers and Wizards. Beal will form a new “Big Three” with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant and attempt to capture the first championship in franchise history.
One looming question for the Suns was whether Deandre Ayton would be a piece of the core group. There had been speculation about Phoenix potentially trading Ayton in order to address its depth issues, especially considering Suns general manager James Jones has no more draft assets to throw out.
Based on recent reports, it seems as though the Suns are sticking with their 24-year-old big man.
Deandre Ayton trade rumors: Why Suns won’t move young center
Phoenix plans to keep Ayton, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, who reported on Sunday that the Suns believe Ayton’s value to the team is “at an all-time high with the additions of Beal and Durant.”
That messaging matches the comments new head coach Frank Vogel delivered at his introductory press conference.
Vogel told reporters earlier this month that he has a “Ph.D. in the head coach-star player partnership” after winning the 2020 title with the LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers. That experience will allow him to get the most out of his players, including Ayton.
"I think he can be one of the best centers in the league. … There are still areas that he can grow offensively, but I'm intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an All-Star level player."
Suns HC Frank Vogel on Deandre Ayton pic.twitter.com/NDooEjJcCQ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2023
“I think he can be one of the best centers in the league. I think he’s shown that at times throughout his career,” Vogel said. “I know he showed it when we played him in the playoffs a couple years back, and he shot about 80 percent from the field and deterred every drive, every cut, every effort to attack the basket. He can be a big-time deterrent.
“There are still areas where he can grow offensively, but I’m intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an All-Star level player.”
While the Suns’ management and coaching staff are expressing confidence in Ayton’s ability to be an impact player, they may have been singing a different tune if a strong trade offer had been on the table.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Phoenix “explored potential trades on draft night” involving Ayton, but it couldn’t find a “a palatable deal.” Stein noted that the market for Ayton was limited because of the years and dollars remaining on his contract.
Deandre Ayton contract details
Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Pacers last year, and the Suns matched it to avoid letting him walk for nothing.
He has three years left on his deal and can enter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2026.
SeasonSalary2022-23$30.9 million2023-24$32.5 million2024-25$34.0 million2025-26$35.6 million2026-27UFA
As The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh pointed out, Phoenix will spend $162 million in salary on Ayton, Beal, Booker and Durant alone.
The Suns will have to retain their own free agents and pursue minimum signings this summer now that it’s clear Ayton won’t be on the move.
Source: sportingnews.com
