Valley of the Suns
Fansided

5 Instant reactions to Phoenix Suns finally moving Ayton in blockbuster trade

By Michael Saenz

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 27: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Vivint Arena on March 27, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 27: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Vivint Arena on March 27, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

3. The Phoenix Suns have a small window to win a title before it gets ugly

There are many ways to break down this trade but from the Suns’ perspective, one thing has become abundantly clear with this deal – Phoenix has a small window to win the title and this deal shortened it. As soon as Kevin Durant’s prime ends, the Suns’ championship window will effectively be closed.

For as good as Devin Booker is, he isn’t at a place where he can lead a team to the promised land alone. And that’s not a knock on him, that’s the reality of today’s NBA. Bradley Beal is likely already past his prime and is on a pretty untradable contract (with a no-trade clause). KD will be 35 years old with the season begins. The Suns have no tradable draft picks for the foreseeable future.

This team is all-in, and likely not all-in for very long. It’s safe to say that the Suns have 2-3 years (if that) to win a title with this core. And if they don’t, the fallout will be bad. With no way to blow this team up other than trading Booker (which isn’t happening), or wait-out contracts, the Suns could find themselves in a very bad place in a couple of years.

Winning a title trumps all and it would all be worth it in the end, but in trading Deandre Ayton, the Suns pretty much burned their very last movable asset of value. This has to work for Phoenix. There’s really not much else they can do if it doesn’t.

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