One NBA writer is proposing that the Phoenix Suns trade Deandre Ayton to the Charlotte Hornets for Terry Rozier.
Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com proposed that the Suns trade Ayton to the Hornets for Rozier, Cody Martin and the 34th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“Rozier’s next team will really tell the tale of what to make of him,” Olson wrote. “The Scary Terry era in Boston when he ate Eric Bledsoe alive in the 2018 playoffs (remember that?!) is a thing of the past but he’s proven as a Hornet that he’s a productive scorer (19.7 PPG since 2019-20) that absolutely launches 3s (eight a game each of the last three seasons!). Phoenix could use a microwave scorer off the bench. Rozier would be a luxurious one with a touch screen.
“Yes, Martin is the less talented brother to Miami’s Caleb and that makes me chuckle because of how the Suns drafted Robin Lopez and Taylor Griffin, among a few others. But the dude can play, and more specifically, defend. While it’s nothing offensively that will melt your face off like Rozier, Martin’s got some playmaking chops too. … Rozier and Martin would also let Phoenix avoid the problem of plugging holes for role players every season due to their long-term contracts. Rozier’s got two more years down at a pricey $23-24 million, with a team option for 2025-26, while Martin’s at a very affordable annual average of just over $8 million the next three seasons.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns, Terry Rozier & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Rozier signed a four-year, $96 million contract with the Hornets in August 2021. He’ll make $23 million next season. The guard averaged 21.1 points and 5.1 assists in 2022-23.
Meanwhile, Martin signed a four-year, $31 million deal with Charlotte in July 2022. He’ll earn $7.6 million in 2023-24. The forward averaged 5.0 points and 1.6 assists this past season, but he only played in seven games due to injuries.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns, Terry Rozier & Charlotte Hornets Updates
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Ayton would be excited about a fresh start with another team. The center averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in 2022-23.
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