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Phoenix Suns’ Anthony Davis link a genuine lose-lose situation

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles in front of Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles in front of Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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It may be the silly season as we conclude the month of August, but some trade proposals do carry more weight than others. That may be the case here as a Western Conference executive believes the Phoenix Suns may have interest in Los Angeles Lakers’ star Anthony Davis.

The Phoenix Suns potential interest in Anthony Davis, and the trade idea to make it happen, would deliver a genuine lose-lose situation for both teams.

According to Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney, the executive believes a deal could emanate between the two Pacific rivals, with Phoenix sending back Deandre Ayton and Cameron Johnson.

"“Phoenix would be an interesting fit too, once Ayton can be traded. They could do Cam Johnson and Ayton, something like that. I am sure some in L.A. would expect a big return for Davis but with the injuries the last few years, it would be tough to trade him”, the executive said."

This may honestly be one of those weird proposals where both teams say no. Firstly, while LeBron James remains in Los Angeles, it’s tough to envisage a situation where Davis is traded. He’s contracted for another three seasons and has shown no desire to leave the Lakers.

Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton
Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

He’s also incredibly unlikely to be traded anytime soon, with constant injury troubles reducing the value of the former number one overall pick. That means the Lakers simply won’t get anywhere near the value of what they believe internally, and of what general NBA fans believe when he’s up and going.

It’s these same injury issues though that would cause Phoenix, or any other team for that matter, to be hesitant in trading for the 29-year-old. If you were guaranteed 65+ regular season games and a full playoff run, then yes you would make a deal of this nature.

Even then, Ayton is still young and has individual growth to make, whereas we’ve likely seen the best of Davis already. The latter has also shown a clear preference to play as a power-forward rather than a center, so throwing him in as a direct replacement for Ayton is fraught with danger.

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The only way this happens is if circumstances change on each side. Maybe if the Lakers continue to struggle and eventually blow it up into rebuild mode, which probably won’t happen for 2-3 years if it were to. Plus, from Phoenix’s perspective, the relationship between Ayton and the Suns would need to sour to the point of becoming untenable.

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