The NBA offseason is drawing to a close. Soon enough, training camp will start. Around the league, some rosters are set in stone. On the other hand, uncertainty surrounds others. Perhaps none are facing as much uncertainty as the Portland Trail Blazers.
Will Damian Lillard report to training camp? All indications are that he will. Still, he’s made his feelings clear – Lillard wants to be on another team. The Blazers will likely move him in time. Once they do, they’ll become strong candidates to make other moves as the season progresses.
By contrast, the Phoenix Suns have mostly got their core solidified. This is one of the most talented teams in the league. With that said, Deandre Ayton looms as a potential trade candidate. There’s seemingly been friction between this player and organization, and by moving him, the Suns could shore up their depth. Could they send him to the Blazers?
The Trade Proposal
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Jerami Grant, F Justice Winslow, C Moses Brown
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: C Deandre Ayton, F Bol Bol
This offseason was like any other. It started with a flurry of movement, and then it stagnated. That’s typically how it goes. After all, there are several factors limiting player movement at the moment.
For starters, some players aren’t eligible to be traded. Players who were recently acquired or recently received extensions are subject to trade restrictions. They may be candidates to be moved closer to the deadline. Jerami Grant is one example.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers & Phoenix Suns Updates
More broadly, teams want to see where they stand before they make additional moves. There’s a benefit to having a solid core together early in the summer. They may work out together, or at least give some thought to how they’ll play together. With that in mind, the Suns may want to see how they fare with Ayton before moving him. If they need to make improvements, will this deal help them?
Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal
The question for Phoenix is this: what do they need at the center spot? Between Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, this team has perhaps the most offensive firepower in the NBA. Realistically, all they need is rim running and rim protection at the 5 spot. Meanwhile, Ayton may be a little overqualified for such a minimized role.
So, why not move him? If the Suns subscribe to that logic, they’ll like this deal. Grant is a more versatile defender than Ayton. He’s also a floor spacer who can create his own shot when necessary. He’d be among the best fourth options in the NBA. This is a major addition to this already-strong roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers & Phoenix Suns Updates
What will the Suns do at the 5? The position would be covered by committee. Brown can play a few minutes. Bismack Biyombo, Chimeze Metu, and Bol can too. The Suns may even want to experiment with small ball lines featuring Durant or Yuta Watanabe at the 5. Either way, they can spare Ayton if they’re getting Grant. Should the Blazers give Grant up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Some Blazers fans may protest this deal. They won’t mind moving Grant – assuming Lillard gets traded, that’s the next logical move. They may oppose landing Ayton. This team is on the onset of a rebuild – shouldn’t they value first-round picks above all else?
Arguably. On the other hand, the purpose of first-round picks is to assemble the best young core that they can, right? If the Blazers made this deal, they’d already have one of the best young cores in the NBA. They’d be adding Ayton to a group featuring Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers & Phoenix Suns Updates
The fit between Henderson and Ayton is especially intriguing. They could form one of the best pick-and-roll duos in the NBA for years to come. If Portland wants to lockdown their long-term big man of the future, Ayton could be the right choice. For now, they can only wait to see how the Suns fare to begin the season.
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