New York Knicks Receive: C Deandre Ayton (Sign-And-Trade)
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Julius Randle, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Kemba Walker, C/F Dario Saric, 2023 Second-Round Pick (PHX), 2025 Second-Round Pick (PHX)
Can we just take a moment to acknowledge how weird this is? The fact that this trade feels realistic ought to be noticed.
The Phoenix Suns took Ayton with the first pick, and now, we’re talking about them trading him for Julius Randle and a pick.
Yes, Randle is a talented player. He may be able to regain some of the form that he demonstrated in 2020-21. Nonetheless, this is a recent number one overall pick.
By now, it’s apparent that the Suns made the wrong choice in the 2018 Draft. That’s not a knock on Ayton: he’s good. It just so happens that he’s not Luka Doncic.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Trades Send New York Knicks Star Julius Randle To Phoenix Suns
Still, teams make poor selections in the draft every year. Sometimes, the number one pick ends up being a below-average NBA player.
The San Antonio Spurs would be involved as a third team to help facilitate the deal. With Zach LaVine likely to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls and their declined momentum in the Ayton sweepstakes, using cap space to gain assets would be the approach.
That is not the case here. Ayton, again, is a quality NBA starter. Could the Suns really part with him for this return?
