No NBA team wants to sell low on a player. When you invest assets in a player, you’re hoping it will work out. It won’t always. Sometimes, teams are forced to sell low.
For example, suppose that a team drafts a player with the first overall pick. They’re hoping they’ve landed a franchise-caliber player. That isn’t always the case. At times, a number one pick doesn’t live up to expectations. In that event, they sometimes need to sell low.
Do the Phoenix Suns need to sell low on Deandre Ayton? Not necessarily. At the same time, we’re getting to that point. It’s been rumoured that Ayton has been dissatisfied with his role in Phoenix. Adding Bradley Beal isn’t going to increase his share of the offensive pie. Could the Suns trade him to the Washington Wizards as a result?
The Trade Proposal
Phoenix Suns Receive: G Tyus Jones, C Daniel Gafford, F Danilo Gallinari
Washington Wizards Receive: C Deandre Ayton
Here’s a simple way to put it: sometimes, you’ve got to sell low. Otherwise, you could be forced to sell even lower. Once a player’s trade value starts to decline, it doesn’t always trend back up. Just ask the Washington Wizards.
The return that they got for Beal when they sent him to Phoenix was meagre, to say the least. At one time, Beal could have netted the Wizards a fortune. They waited too long to move him. Beal’s value began to decline, and eventually, the Wizards moved him for a pittance.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Washington Wizards Updates
The Suns should view this as a cautionary tale. Ayton’s trade value is on the decline. At this point, it doesn’t seem likely to get any higher. Should the Wizards even acquire him at this price?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Some Wizards fans won’t love this deal. Why are they parting with Gafford? He’s arguably been more productive than Ayton, and he’s a similar age. Shouldn’t this rebuilding squad hang onto their young big man?
Perhaps. At the same time, Ayton has more natural talent than Gafford. While Gafford is mostly limited to finishing pick-and-roll sets on the offensive end of the floor, Ayton has a soft touch around the rim. He’s a more talented offensive player and a comparable player on the defensive end of the floor.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Washington Wizards Updates
Meanwhile, we’re only basing those observations on what we’ve seen from Ayton. It’s fair to assume that we haven’t seen the former number-one pick unleashed yet. If the Wizards think they can find his untapped potential, they should be happy to pay this cost for Ayton. Should the Suns finally part with their big man?
Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal
Once again – the Suns are buying low here. They’re trying to avoid being forced to sell lower. This may not be the type of return that a team hopes to get for a former number-one pick. Still, if it’s on the table, the Suns need to take it and run.
Besides, it’s not all bad in Phoenix. The Suns are a super team. They acquired Beal to pair with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. This team doesn’t need Ayton’s extra interior scoring. They need interior defence, and they need depth. This deal provides them with both.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns & Washington Wizards Updates
Gafford’s low-usage style would be more suitable for the Suns than Ayton’s. Meanwhile, Tyus Jones would be a tremendous addition to this roster. As constructed, the Suns are missing a floor general. Throw in some front-court spacing from Gallinari, and this deal could make the Suns a better team – even if it means selling low on Ayton.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
