Phoenix Suns: 3 Players Who Will be All-Stars in 2021-22

Phoenix Suns All-Stars in 2021-22: Deandre Ayton

This has to be Deandre Ayton‘s breakout year. He showed so much potential last season as he rounded out Phoenix’s trio featuring Paul, Booker and himself. It was not only the regular season where Ayton stepped up for Phoenix though, as he made his biggest impact during the playoffs.

Ayton averaged nearly 16 points and 12 rebounds per game as the backbone behind Phoenix’s playoff run, both coming as increased marks for him from the regular season. Based on this, Ayton no longer stands estranged to the “top big men” debate in the NBA.

Having now drawn a larger spotlight, most expect Ayton to perform at an All-Star level for the 2021-22 season. The Phoenix big man is up against some tough competition though with Western Conference stars Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert and Zion WilIiamson all with the potential to do the same.

However, Ayton will most likely be on a winning team, unlike Towns and Williamson. But as mentioned earlier, wins matter only to a certain degree at this point.

What it does for Ayton though is build his recognition as the star big man for a team that will most likely make headlines with the national media. This growing recognition alone puts him on a pedestal higher than most others.

If Ayton finds a way to produce a little more than the averages he posted during the playoffs, his name will become a popular one on the All-Star ballot, and lead to his selection.