Phoenix Suns Receive: G/F Gary Trent Jr., F/C Chris Boucher, 2023 First-Round Pick (TOR)

Toronto Raptors Receive: C Deandre Ayton 

Of course, with the increased popularity of guards and wings, some thought the centre position was on its way to its ultimate demise. 

For a while, that appeared to be a possibility. Small ball became the fashionable way to play the game. Even now, any contender worth its salt needs a versatile, five-out on offense, switch-heavy on defense line it can rely on. 

Only, those lineups don’t have to be small. Our thinking about basketball has continued to evolve. Now, it’s generally understood that skills matter most.

If a player can shoot, and switch, and he’s 7’0 tall, that’s all the better. Perhaps the newest trend is “skill ball.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Toronto Raptors Updates

On the other hand, Ayton doesn’t necessarily fit into that box either. He’s a throwback, bruising, rim-running big man with a reliable but limited game. 

Is he the right target for the Raptors?