Deandre Ayton
Best Landing Spots: Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft remains available in restricted free agency. However, expect this to draft out at least until the Kevin Durant trade request is fulfilled. Part of the delay is because the Brooklyn Nets are one of the potential landing spots for Ayton.
If Durant gets his wish and lands with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton will almost assuredly be a part of that deal. A sign-and-trade for Ayton that also includes Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson with numerous draft picks is something that has been floated around as a potential deal on the table.
Brooklyn is far from the only rumored landing spot for Ayton. The Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors have also been rumored suitors as they seek out upgrades at the center position.
A sign-and-trade is ultimately what will have to be agreed upon. There isn’t a team remaining with the cap space to sign Ayton outside of the San Antonio Spurs, who made their offseason plans quite apparent with the trade of Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks.
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All four teams mentioned can make some intriguing trade packages that should pique the Suns’ interest. Ultimately, Ayton will end up in Indiana as part of a three-team deal that lands Durant with the Suns. Brooklyn has told teams to get creative when making trade packages and this is one way to re-route some different assets to the Nets if they are not high on acquiring Ayton.