3 goals for the Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton for the 2023-24 season

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day at Events On Jackson on September 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day at Events On Jackson on September 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns with Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3. Become an All-Star

This would seem to run counter-intuitive to the previous point, but there is logic to this. Besides the obvious of Ayton playing well enough to be deemed an All-Star, it will also mean he has surpassed both of the goals already laid out above.

If he is so comfortable being the fourth option that he still figures out a way to put up 18 points and 12 rebounds a night, and in doing so is also the difference-maker defensively, then it will be hard to ignore him as an All-Star. Even better, this would be the first selection of Ayton’s career.

Can you imagine what that would do for his confidence? Knowing he has slipped down the pecking order – and despite being constantly put in trade rumors – yet he still manages to become an All-Star on a team featuring such talented players. This would also likely mean one of Durant or Beal get in, because the Suns aren’t likely to get four players.

But with Durant immune from some of the new rest rules being implemented, perhaps he is no longer a lock to make the All-Star game anyway. Not that he is likely to care, approaching his 35th birthday at the end of this month, it is now all about championships for Durant before he calls it a day.

Next. Realistic starting 5 for the Suns 5 years from now. dark

Perhaps an extended a fruitful run with The Bahamas national team, which Ayton enjoyed this summer, can be just the catalyst needed for him to hit the ground running this coming season. We all know the talent is there, it always has been. Get that attitude right though, and the trade talk will stop and the All-Star selections will start rolling.