Key Suns player bravely takes number last worn by Deandre Ayton

When you look back on the history of the Phoenix Suns since the turn of the century, taking Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was one of their worst decisions. Not only because he is no longer on the roster, but because they could have had Luka Doncic or even Trae Young instead.

Ayton of course is now with the Portland Trail Blazers - for how much longer we're not sure - and the Suns should be commended for salvaging a trade when Ayton still had some value in the league. Their core return of Jusuf Nurkic and especially Grayson Allen adequate compensation for a big who anchored a run to the 2021 NBA Finals.

Ayton's number 22 hasn't been touched since he left The Valley, but a new recruit is going to wear it next season.

According to the X account "Etienne Catalan" - who it has to be said is generally spot on with revealing which new players will wear whar number - Mason Plumlee is going to wear the number 22 jersey in 2024-25. Is this a good or a bad omen? Is it neither?

Coming at this from a positive angle and if the 34-year-old Plumlee could give the Suns even half of what an engaged Ayton did when at his peak, then he is going to be a hit in Phoenix. Not only that, but the backup center could seriously push starter Nurkic for extram minutes and responsibility.

Remember, it was Ayton's reluctance to even want to be with the Suns more than anything that cut his time with the organization short, with his play on the court reflecting that. The team are going to have no such issues with Plumlee, a consumate pro who will know his role with this group from day one.

He's also still got some of that athleticism and ball-handling chops that have seen him stick in the league for over a decade - and play at Duke before that - which should come in handy once the season starts. Plumlee is not only an upgrade over last season's backup in Drew Eubanks, he's simply a bigger and more imposing player.

On the other hand though, why even tempt fate by picking this number out of all of the choices available? Perhaps this is Plumlee's own way of sticking it to Ayton, and it might also surprise you to learn that Plumlee has more points and rebounds total throughout his career so far than Ayton. Yes he had a five year head-start, but Ayton was supposed to be a potentially generational big man.

Let's hope it's more of the former, and the Suns get a backup center who can play with the starters and also form solid chemistry with point guards Tyus Jones and former teammate Monte Morris. If not, a swift change of number - or worse again scenery - could be on the cards for Plumlee after this season.