One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks trade Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee and Christian Wood to the Phoenix Suns for Deandre Ayton. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the blockbuster sign-and-trade deal.
“The Mavericks would be able to increase the team’s overall talent level and add a starting-quality center,” Tran wrote. “Ayton is a perfect fit with the team’s stars and could flourish in a franchise where he is more of a focal point. Meanwhile, the Suns would be able to add some quality depth and improve their rotation. Having good role players is one of the keys to success in the modern-day league, and this deal would get the Suns those role players.”
Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists last NBA 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.
However, Ayton’s level of play dropped in the 2023 NBA playoffs. The center averaged 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 10 games versus the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. Ayton 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton Christian Wood, Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns lost to the Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Ayton didn’t play in Game 6 due to a rib contusion he suffered in Game 5.
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.
Ayton 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 Christian Wood, Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
An anonymous member of the Suns told NBA writer Keith Smith of Spotrac that the franchise is “committed” to Ayton. The Suns decided not to trade Ayton this offseason despite having trade talks with the Mavericks and Pacers.
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