Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Deandre Ayton, F/C Dario Saric
Phoenix Suns Receive: F/C Anthony Davis, 2027 First-Round Pick
At first glance, this may be a difficult deal to justify for the Phoenix Suns.
After all, Anthony Davis is six years older than Deandre Ayton. There’s a strong case that, with his injury history, he’s already a less valuable player. Still, the Suns would have incentives to accept this trade that go a little beyond basketball.
Firstly, in committing to Ayton, they’ll have to sign him to a deal that lasts one year longer than Davis’. That may not be a big deal to you, but Suns owner Robert Sarver is notoriously frugal. Every year may count to him when it comes to making such a wholesale commitment.
Furthermore, this swap may heighten their ceiling. If Davis returns to his previous MVP candidate form, he’s a better floor-spacer and rim protector than Ayton. With Chris Paul approaching the age of retirement, they could see that as an outcome worth gambling on. The Suns could sell this as a win-now move, even if it’s just as much of a cost-cutting measure.
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At the same time, either side could reject this offer. If the Suns want to gamble on Davis, why wouldn’t the Los Angeles Lakers? Plus, as a non-shooter, Ayton is a poor fit alongside Russell Westbrook. This is a good value deal for the Lakers, but it doesn’t necessarily solve their immediate problems.
As an aging team, that ought to be their priority. There may be another deal that suits them better in that event.
