Phoenix Suns Receive: F Gordon Hayward, F/C P.J. Washington, 2025 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2027 First-Round Pick (CHA)
Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Deandre Ayton
This trade once again pairs Deandre Ayton with one of the most dynamic young point guards in the National Basketball Association. With the Charlotte Hornets, he stands to be the benefactor of many LaMelo Ball lobs if this deal comes to fruition.
The Hornets get the big man they desperately need here. They were linked to Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl at this year’s deadline but never pulled the trigger on a deal. Instead, they made a much more modest move for Montrezl Harrell.
Harrell is a quality NBA player, but at 6’7, he’s hardly a big man. Ayton would finally scratch the Hornets’ itch for a dominant interior force.
Meanwhile, the Suns get a package one would expect from a rebuilding team. What they’re attracted to here is flexibility. As we mentioned, their books are about to get complicated. This trade simplifies them. Hayward’s deal expires after the 2023-24 season, well before Ayton’s new pact would.
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Washington himself is a restricted free agent this offseason. That’s fine. Whatever contract he lands, it’s likely to be substantially less than Ayton’s. He’s also a valuable rotation player. With the Suns receiving two first-round picks in addition to the 23-year-old, they’re getting good value with this package.
