1. Ayton vs. other big name rooks
That’s a lot of dates, so we’ll just give you the dates of the first games DeAndre Ayton plays fellow rookie studs: Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Marvin Bagley, Mo Bamba, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
There is a lot of intrigue and talent in this draft class, and by no means was it easy to draft knowing the possible talent your franchise could have missed out on. All these names were potential first overall picks. Fortunately for basketball fans who have been anticipating the new wave of young and exciting talent to take over the league, they’re all the same age and from the same draft class.
The hype is real.
From the Suns’ picks, to the last in the draft, the biggest name rookies can all be responsible for their given franchises turn-a-round. Many of which, were in discussion for the Suns at number one overall.
So it will be worth watching Ayton take on the rest of the class, just so we know Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough made the right move, and didn’t take another Alex Len.
Not certain about the Suns’ playoff chances, watching Ayton and the rest of the rookie pool will be fun for Suns fans.
Ayton and the Suns open their season October 17th hosting Luka Doncic, most likely the Suns second option at number one this past draft (7:30PM).
10 days later, Ayton will take on Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis (5:00PM), and the two will face-off for the second time a week later.
On November 21st, the Suns travel to the Windy City where Ayton will matchup with Wendell Carter Jr. (5:00PM). Just over a week after that, on November 30th, Mo Bamba comes to town (6:00PM). Bamba’s crazy size, length, and intelligence had him in discussion for the Suns’ top pick as well.
The Suns have their first matchup with the Kings on December 4th, where viewers will have their first look at the top two picks against each other. Ayton vs. Bagley in Phoenix (9:00PM).
Lastly, Ayton will meet Trae Young for the first time on February 2nd. Young and the Hawks travel to Phoenix and we will get to see the best of the outside presence, as well as the inside (7:00PM), in the draft, in the same game.