Player movement has come to a screeching halt around the NBA since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. That has been the focus of everyone’s attention, leaving some free agents, especially of the restricted variety, to just wait things out.
One of those free agents is Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. It seems likely that he will be moving on from the franchise this offseason, especially if he receives a max offer sheet from a team. Phoenix ownership just doesn’t believe he is worth that much and some run-ins during the postseason may have sealed his fate.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has been discussed as part of some potential trade packages with the Nets for Durant. He is a key cog in those negotiations because if he signs an offer sheet elsewhere, negotiations become that much more complicated for the Suns.
Well, that is a possibility that they should be preparing for.
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According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Indiana Pacers are seriously considering giving Deandre Ayton an offer sheet. They would be open to negotiating a sign-and-trade for him as well, with Myles Turner heading back to Phoenix as part of the deal to be their new starting center.
That would certainly have a major impact on the Suns’ negotiations with the Nets, as the Pacers were also one of the teams mentioned as a potential extra team to help facilitate a deal. Alas, every team is on their own timeline and the Pacers could want to acquire Deandre Ayton themselves.
The Arizona product would make a nice long-term building block in the frontcourt for Indiana to build around, along with Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt. They have already announced that another young player, Jalen Smith, will be the starting power forward.
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Depending on what happens with Buddy Hield, the Pacers could very well start second-year wing Chris Duarte and rookie Bennedict Mathurin along with them, giving them one of the youngest lineups in the NBA. With that group, Indiana would already be moving forward in their rebuild.
