Trade talk is heating up throughout the NBA, and we got the most ridiculous "rumor" yet with talk of the Los Angeles Lakers targeting Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns.
There is nothing to these links, Bleacher Report were simply saying that the Lakers should be going after a player like Brooks to improve, and we agree with them on that.
Deandre Ayton struggling badly for Lakers during recent stretch
The Suns aren't worried about the Lakers or any other team for that matter right now, as they've reached 20 wins and have fringe guys rehabbing their value before our very eyes.
But if they did take a glance over at Los Angeles, they would see that their own former first overall pick Deandre Ayton has been struggling, and fans over there are getting concerned.
“I think he’s frustrated. He doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball.” - JJ Redick on Deandre Ayton’s recent performances. Redick said that it’s “human nature” for Ayton’s rebounding production to dip if he doesn’t feel involved. Said LAL will work to get Ayton early touches. pic.twitter.com/lLOr7KZqqb
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 3, 2026
It is a scenario we've seen play out in The Valley before. When Ayton's team are losing or they require more from him to pull out wins, they are found wanting.
Even in their most recent game, a win over the Memphis Grizzlies, he had four points and six boards in 25 minutes. There have been calls to bench the 27-year-old, and it is not hard to see why.
Contrast that with the Suns, who despite needing a starting calibre big man themselves before the season found the perfect player in Mark Williams.
He has stayed healthy and has contributed to the excellent chemistry that has been on display in Phoenix this season. The exact thing the Lakers would be trying to replicate for themselves if the links to Brooks were real.
As you can see from the media availability featuring Lakers' head coach JJ Redick above, Ayton is frustrated with his touches, and most likely his role, on that roster currently.
A scenario that Suns fans will be all too familiar with given Ayton felt the same way prior to forcing his way out of town, despite anchoring a group that went to the finals and being loved in Phoenix because of it.
At least the Lakers didn't put considerable time and money into Ayton, so they can just move on from him if needed. But finding starting level big men is hard these days.
That's the reason the Suns moved for Nick Richards, before finding out that he's better used as a backup. Perhaps they can convince the Lakers to take him off their hands? As for Ayton, can't say we're surprised.