One of the players that a lot of people are going to be focusing on during free agency in the NBA this offseason is Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. His situation is a unique one, as he is entering restricted free agency.
That is because he and the Suns were unable to agree to an extension prior to the deadline. Ayton was seeking a max contract, while ownership was unwilling to go up to that price. Stuck in a stalemate, no deal was made and here we are today.
It would be shocking to see the Phoenix Suns move on from Ayton as he has been an integral part of their rising success the last two seasons. Alas, it sounds like there is a real possibility that Ayton will be on the move in the coming weeks.
Plenty of teams should be lining up to acquire Ayton should Phoenix actually make him available. One team to keep an eye on, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report in his recent NBA intel piece, is the Indiana Pacers.
“League personnel have also whispered in recent days about a potential sign-and-trade of Ayton to Indiana for Myles Turner. Turner and Ayton share the same representation.”
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Trades Send Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner To Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton Involved
The Pacers started the first rebuild in franchise history ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline during the 2021-22 season. They traded Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, and Torrey Craig, picking up draft capital and young players in the process. The crown jewel is 22-year-old guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will be the face of the franchise.
He would have an excellent running mate for years to come in Deandre Ayton should the Pacers be able to pull off a sign-and-trade deal. Turning only 24 years of age himself in July, Indiana would have two franchise cornerstones that aren’t near their peaks or primes yet.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Trades Send Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner To Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton Involved
That is the type of thing rebuilding teams dream of having. The Indiana Pacers also own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and have other intriguing young players in Chris Duarte, Oshae Brissett, and Isaiah Jackson that provide the team with a lot of hope and intrigue going into the future.
