Following the Bradley Beal trade, several speculated that the Phoenix Suns had another huge move planned. However, the community should have realized Devin Booker was not going away. Kevin Durant is in the same boat.
However, rumors concerning Deandre Ayton only seemed to intensify, with NBA teams increasing their efforts to sign the former No. 1 pick in the aftermath of the Beal blockbuster. Ayton, who appears to be the lone trade asset remaining on the roster besides the new Big 3, is also an important element of what first-year coach Frank Vogel wants to do defensively.
So NBA source Chris Haynes’ report that the Suns have no plans to trade Ayton or their All-Star trio comes as no surprise. Instead, the Suns are said to appreciate Ayton more than ever before and are anxious to see how he fits in with their elite scorers.
A cynic may argue that the Suns hyping up their soon-to-be 25-year-old star is just another precursor to a trade, as has become usual in the NBA. But that doesn’t appear to be the case with the Suns, who have very little depth on the roster and no one capable of replace Ayton’s productivity as a consistent paint presence and glass cleaner.
This season, Ayton will earn $32.4 million, his sixth in the league. He’s averaged a double-double in each of his first five seasons, establishing himself as a viable option in Phoenix even if he hasn’t blossomed into the superstar that some former No. 1 choices do.
The Suns immediately become a top contender for the Western Conference championship by keeping their core four players together. Nonetheless, they will confront numerous defensive obstacles, as well as the decision of who will handle point guard duties under coach Vogel.
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