One NBA writer is proposing that the Charlotte Hornets trade for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton in a blockbuster deal. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Hornets and Suns:
The Deal: Charlotte Hornets trade Gordon Hayward, Nick Richards and a 2026 first-round pick to Phoenix Suns for Deandre Ayton
“Charlotte has been in need of a consistent 5 for years, and though Mark Williams showed some potential last season, we already know Ayton is a borderline 20-10 guy who’s only three years older than LaMelo Ball,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Together, those two could develop into one of the best inside-out duos in the league. And if surrounded by plenty of shooters (like Brandon Miller), the Hornets could push for a playoff spot as early as this season.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season while shooting 58.9% from the field and 76.0% from the free-throw line. He recorded 36 double-doubles.
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 Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Ayton didn’t play in Game 6 due to a rib contusion he suffered in Game 5.
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 Bailey came up with would give Phoenix more depth around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and would give Charlotte a second star next to LaMelo Ball.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Ayton has career averages of 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
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