The Phoenix Suns have decided to keep center Deandre Ayton, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT.
The Suns held trade talks with several teams about Ayton, but the former No. 1 overall pick will remain in Phoenix with All-Stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Ayton didn’t have a good relationship with former Suns head coach Monty Williams. Phoenix’s front office believes new head coach Frank Vogel will be able to connect with Ayton better than Williams did and help the Arizona product be more engaged on both ends of the floor on a consistent basis.
The 24-year-old Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists for the Suns this past season while shooting 58.9% from the field and 76.0% from the free-throw line. He recorded 36 double-doubles and helped Phoenix win 45 games in the regular season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton & Phoenix Suns Updates
However, Ayton’s level of play dropped in the 2023 playoffs, where the Suns lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Ayton averaged 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 10 games versus the Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets. The big man put up 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in the Nuggets series and didn’t register a positive plus-minus rating in any game.
Ayton has career averages of 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He’ll make $32.5 million next season. The Nassau native tried to leave the Suns last offseason by signing a four-year, $132.9 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers in restricted free agency. However, Phoenix matched Indiana’s offer sheet.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton & Phoenix Suns Updates
It will be fascinating to watch the Suns next season with Durant, Booker, Beal and Ayton leading the way. Guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet were traded to the Washington Wizards in the Beal trade. As of right now, Cameron Payne would be the Suns’ starting point guard.
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