Deandre Ayton trade looks significantly worse for Suns after latest moves

The Phoenix Suns had to move on from Deandre Ayton in the 2023 offseason. It was not one issue, but more a confluence of multiple. The former number-one overall pick was not helping the Suns win a championship, so they moved on.

Ayton being back on the trade block and his contract preventing him from being moved may point to this trade being a slam dunk win for Phoenix. The Suns got an elite 3-point shooter in Grayson Allen, plus Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson for Ayton and Toumani Camara in Sept. 2023.

This trade looks worse after Phoenix's offseason moves. There are questions about Allen’s playing time and Nurkic’s role with the Suns newest additions. Phoenix was also forced to dump Little and will be paying him for years to come. Things certainly took a turn.

Deandre Ayton trade got worse for the Suns this offseason

The Suns wanted to open up a roster spot, so they cut Little and E.J. Liddell. It was surprising as Little was owed $21.8 million, which Phoenix used the stretch provision on. They now have $3.1 million on their books for every season through 2031. That dead cap is massive for a team already well over the luxury tax and facing significant roster-building restrictions.

Little barely played last season and was below replacement level when he did. Finding a taker via trade was impossible, so the Suns moved on. Owner Mat Ishbia is never afraid to spend, but this was certainly not the ideal situation for Phoenix.

The franchise is counting on Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen to play key roles, but the Tyus Jones signing complicates those matters. It was impossible to say no when an elite playmaker wanted to join their roster. The Suns promised him a starting role, which will limit the minutes of Allen and the playmaking of Nurkic.

Phoenix will start Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal next to Jones. That leaves just one spot and it has to be a big man. Nurkic is locked in and should play 28 to 30 minutes per game.

His 4.0 assists are one of his difference-making stats, but his touches and creation opportunities figure to decline with Jones in Phoenix. The seven-footer will be asked to shine as a defender and rebounder. Hopefully, he fully embraces that role when not getting as many touches.

Starting Jones pushes Allen to the bench and leaves a difficult math equation for new head coach Mike Budenholzer. If he wants to play Allen significant minutes, Bud must get creative with his lineups. He coached Allen in Milwaukee for two seasons and knows how impactful his shooting can be. Expect to see the 28-year-old playing closer to 28 than 33 minutes each night with Jones in town.

The Phoenix Suns still won the Deandre Ayton. They had to move on from the former number-one overall pick and got two key rotation players in return, but things look worse. It went from a slam dunk to a contested lay-up.

Little’s money staying on the books could hurt more as they try to duck the second apron and things could go further south if Nurkic struggles to make an impact in this new role. Hopefully, the Suns did not completely ruin this trade.