5 Trades Suns must make to get rid of Deandre Ayton
By Tyler Watts
2. Mavericks swing for Deandre Ayton as Suns get depth
The Mavs have been rumored to be interested in Ayton for months. Would the former number-one overall pick want to be the third option in Dallas? He shares an agent with Luka Doncic, and the two know each other well. They could form a dynamic pick-and-roll duo that would help Ayton get plenty of easy buckets.
Would the Suns prefer a future first-round pick or Maxi Kleber in this deal? Phoenix appears all-in on right now and exceeding the second tax apron will severely limit their ability to make trades. They might want a role player to use right now over a pick that is years away.
Tim Hardaway Jr. would give them a sharpshooting sixth man that could help space the floor. Maxi Kleber is a versatile big man that was massive when Dallas upset Phoenix in the second round of the playoffs in 2022. JaVale McGee is a solid backup big man that would be returning to the Suns and playing under Frank Vogel again.
The Phoenix Suns should be searching hard for a move like this. Yes, they are not getting maximum value on Deandre Ayton, but this trade gives them depth and a chance to compete for a championship next season.