Phoenix Suns Receive: C Myles Turner, G Malcolm Brogdon
Indiana Pacers Receive: C Deandre Ayton, G Landry Shamet, F Torrey Craig, 2023 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – PHO)
Deandre Ayton’s situation is getting increasingly complicated. It feels like one of his suitors drops out of the race every day.
For a while, he was frequently linked to the Detroit Pistons. When they acquired big man Jalen Duren on draft night, they effectively silenced those rumors. Still, many expected Ayton to land in San Antonio. Unfortunately, their Dejounte Murray trade signals an intention to bottom out in 2022-23: they’re unlikely to be interested either.
The Indiana Pacers still feel like a good landing spot. At last year’s trade deadline, they swapped Domantas Sabonis in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. It seems the Pacers are interested in rebuilding by acquiring productive young players as they are in building through the draft. Ayton would be a sensible acquisition from that perspective.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns could actually get better as a result of this deal. Turner is less of a lob threat than Ayton, and he’s not as versatile a defender. On the other hand, he’s a floor-spacer and a superior rim protector.
LATEST NBA FREE AGENCY NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Lakers, Nets Could Re-Visit Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook Trade?
Moreover, Brogdon would give this team’s backcourt rotation a tremendous boost. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are one of the best guard tandems in the NBA, but the Suns’ guards thin out after them. With the addition of Brogdon, they’d arguably have the best rotation in the league.
