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In the aftermath of the Bradley Beal trade, the future of Deandre Ayton in Phoenix is a bit uncertain.
Beal joins a core that includes Ayton, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, but those four players would command a staggering $161.5 million combined. This number puts them in a difficult situation with the salary cap, as filling the roster around those four is basically impossible.
With Beal being newly acquired, and Durant and Booker being clear untouchables, that leaves the 2018 first overall pick as the odd man out if the team decided to make a move. Ayton is set to make $32.4 million in 2023-24 and is under contract through the 2025-26 season.
Still, having Ayton, who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in 22-23, gives the team a potential foil for other top centers, including Denver Nuggets center Nikola JokiÄ. However, given JokiÄ’s dominance in the Western Conference semi-finals, that foil effect may not be worth his price tag.
Ayton’s future with the team was a debate on Twitter following the trade, and many fans felt like the Suns should cut bait, even if his trade value is lower than it could be.
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
The Suns now only have four players under guaranteed contracts:
Kevin Durant
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Deandre Ayton
$161.5M total for those four and not much flexibility to make more changes.
The big question: Does Ayton get moved?
I’d bring back free agents TJ Warren, Joshā¦ https://t.co/nUnXGTp1Ox
Sean Barnard @Sean_Barnard1
The Suns next move should absolutely be trying to trade Deandre Ayton for some role players to fill out the roster
Ideally get a true point guard in the deal
Andy Bailey @AndrewDBailey
The Suns need to be able to turn Deandre Ayton into a couple contributors, but I’m not sure his trade value is up there.
John Fanta @John_Fanta
As great as the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal can be, the Suns big issue still exists: a major lack of depth. What will Phoenix’s supporting cast look like? What happens to DeAndre Ayton? I’m sure the Suns will look to move him, but the market seems dry.
Andy Bailey @AndrewDBailey
The Suns need to be able to turn Deandre Ayton into a couple contributors, but I’m not sure his trade value is up there.
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Suns acquire Bradley Beal without giving up Deandre Ayton, who will now presumably be used in a separate trade to add much-needed depth around their superstar trio.
Suns are nowhere close to finished making big moves. https://t.co/DpstWULf3r
J.E. Skeets @jeskeets
So which two or three players are the Suns trading Deandre Ayton for?
While this seemed to be the majority opinion, some felt less confident about the chances a deal could get done. The possibility of the fireworks the four players could produce was also considered.
Swipa @SwipaCam
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Torrey Craig
Kevin Durant
Deandre Ayton
Top 4 Team in the NBA https://t.co/tbvINgqEV6
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
I’m curious to see what happens with Deandre Ayton. Do the Suns trade him for depth? Or do they keep him and hope he can be their defensive anchor?@wojespn has described Ayton’s market as “lean” and said PHX has to prepare for the “very likely possibility” that Ayton is back.
Zona @ZonaHoops_
This entirely changes how I feel about Deandre Ayton at this point as well.
I mean, you could still cash him in for depth, but now it’s not as make or break as it was 30 minutes ago.
Let Vogel cook with him if the offers aren’t worth your time.
With free agency set to begin June 30, the Suns will likely look to make a decision on his future sooner rather than later.
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