Phoenix Suns Receive: C Mitchell Robinson, G/F Evan Fournier, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK) 

New York Knicks Receive: C Deandre Ayton 

Here’s another thing about star players – they get paid. 

If you want to know what a player’s status in the NBA is, look to the salary sheet. Yes, some players get overpaid and underpaid – but it’s a good starting point. The league’s best players are making big, big bucks. 

The Suns didn’t seem enthusiastic about opening their wallet for Ayton this summer. In fact, it wasn’t even clear that they’d offer him a rookie extension until the Indiana Pacers did it for them.

The Suns had to match the offer rather than lose Ayton for nothing. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & New York Knicks Updates

It feels like the damage got done anyway. Ayton doesn’t appear to be happy in Phoenix. It may be that the relationship between the player and the organization here is permanently fractured. 

If so, is this the right return for Phoenix?