The Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics have discussed a Deandre Ayton trade, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT.
Haynes mentioned at the 19:08 mark of his appearance on Rip City Radio mentioned the Celtics and Suns had conversations, but isn’t sure if an agreement will transpire.
The Suns, who acquired Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, need more depth around Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Phoenix’s preference is to trade Ayton to get more depth, according to NBA insider John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Gambadoro, who covers the Suns, talked about Ayton’s future in Phoenix with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
“I think the preference for Phoenix is to trade Deandre Ayton to get depth,” Gambadoro said. “Their top three are set with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Their problem — and this is why they’re not better than the Denver Nuggets — is their four, five, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth guys. They don’t have depth. If you can trade Ayton and take that $30 million salary and turn it into two or three good players, that’s the preference. You’ve got to find a team willing to take Ayton. He’s got over $100 million left on his contract in the next three years, and he hasn’t been a dominant center. He’s not Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic. He’s a good player, and somebody who trades for him might get 22-24 points a night and 12 rebounds, but if he’s your second-best player, you’re probably not going to win.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Boston Celtics Updates
“We’ve talked a lot about option number one, which you brought up,” Gambodoro explained. “Could the Suns trade him to San Antonio into space? I know they’re going to draft Victor Wembanyama, but there’s talk they may not want him to play center right away. If they got Ayton, maybe Victor can play power forward for a little bit and save some wear and tear on him. I think that’s an option, and you trade Ayton and get nothing back to clear that salary space.”
Ayton averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds during the 2022-23 regular season. However, his production dipped in the 2023 postseason to 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds. The former No. 1 overall pick put up 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in the Denver Nuggets series and didn’t register a positive plus-minus rating in any game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Boston Celtics Updates
The Nuggets, who won the 2023 title, beat the Suns in the second round of the playoffs in six games.
Ayton has career averages of 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He’ll make $32.5 million next season.
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