One NBA writer is proposing that the Phoenix Suns trade Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Tyus Jones and Daniel Gafford. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Wizards and Suns:
Trade idea: Phoenix Suns trade Deandre Ayton and Damion Lee to Washington Wizards for Tyus Jones, Daniel Gafford and Delon Wright
“Still, the top-heavy Suns could see value in turning Ayton and a shooting specialist in Lee into three rotation options, two of whom could start,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Jones’ passing could make this offense even more explosive, and Gafford’s close-range finishing might be all Phoenix needs from its center spot. Wright could wind up with a sizable role as well since he’s a versatile defender who can create scoring chances for others and attack in transition.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns Updates
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.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns Updates
According to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN, there is no viable trade right now turning Ayton into the kinds of players (or picks) that would maintain or boost the Suns’ NBA title odds. This trade Buckley came up with would give Phoenix more depth around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
It will be fascinating to see if the Suns and Wizards talk about an Ayton trade once the 2023-24 season starts.
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