Could The Suns Make A Blockbuster Trade For Lakers’ Anthony Davis?

Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Rumors, Anthony Davis
NBA Analysis Network

The Phoenix Suns‘ 2021-22 NBA season came to an abrupt halt in the second round of the postseason. Hosting the Dallas Mavericks at Footprint Center in Game 7, the Suns were blown out of the gym, losing 123-90. That could lead to an offseason of change, but could Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis actually end up being a trade target?

It was an embarrassing loss for anyone to suffer in the postseason, let alone the No. 1 seed on their homecourt. The Mavericks will be moving on to face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals while the Suns begin their offseason preparations.

After advancing to the NBA Finals in 2021, it would seem unlikely that the Suns would make too drastic of changes this offseason. After all, they did win the most games in the regular season before falling short in the postseason. 

However, there is a chance their shortcomings against the Mavericks lead to some sizable changes on the roster. Deandre Ayton is heading toward restricted free agency and it is anyone’s guess if the Suns believe he is now worth the max contract they didn’t believe he was worth coming into the season.

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If ownership’s feelings remain the same, Ayton will have a healthy trade market. Could the Los Angeles Lakers make for a trade partner? Acquiring Anthony Davis would certainly be a blockbuster acquisition for the Suns, but how could they get it done?

Including Ayton in a sign-and-trade with Dario Saric is one possibility. The Suns could also receive a future first-round pick in that swap as Davis is six years older than Ayton. The notoriously frugal Suns’ ownership group would likely be happy having Davis under contract one season shorter than Ayton would be.

Another possibility would be expanding the deal to include the Detroit Pistons, creating better fits. Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk would be heading to Los Angeles, with Davis going to the desert and Ayton the Motor City.

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Both deals are likely ones that the Lakers would turn down. If they are going to trade Davis, they will want a haul in terms of players and draft capital to help brighten the future of the franchise. While Ayton is certainly a great building block, he isn’t a great fit alongside Russell Westbrook and LeBron James because of his lack of spacing. He has shown the capabilities of being a good defender, but would be a step down in terms of rim protection from Davis as well.

The second trade would likely be a non-starter as well. Grant is someone that Los Angeles has shown interest in, but it would be to pair with James and Davis, not replace one of them. However, Phoenix and Detroit would likely jump at either of these deals.

The Suns would remain contenders and possibly heighten their ceiling with Davis replacing Ayton in the lineup. The rebuilding Pistons get a franchise cornerstone in Ayton to pair with Cade Cunningham and build the roster up around.

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