Betting Odds: Magic Favorites in Suns' Deandre Ayton Trade?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic may have missed out on the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, but there's still a chance the team could pair Paolo Banchero with a fellow No. 1 overall pick in the frontcourt.
BetOnline laid out odds for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton's next team should he be traded, and the Magic is tied with the Atlanta Hawks for the best odds at +500.
Ayton, who turns 25 this summer, was the No. 1 pick by the Suns back in 2018. He was a key part of Phoenix's 2021 run to the NBA Finals, but back-to-back second-round exits have the Suns re-evaluating things, and if a trade was made, Ayton is a logical candidate to part ways with.
Ayton was a restricted free agent last summer, and the Suns neglected to sign him on their own, forcing the Indiana Pacers to sign a historic four-year, $133 million offer sheet that Phoenix matched immediately.
With Kevin Durant in the fold, expectations have grown for the Suns, and Ayton could yield back the best value in all of Phoenix's potential trade assets.
The Magic would benefit from an Ayton upgrade, but Orlando has arguably a player of better value in Wendell Carter Jr.
Ayton averages 18 points and 10 rebounds per game while making over $33 million per year. Meanwhile, Carter averages 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds and has about $36 million left on his contract for the next three years combined.
Ayton may have a new home, and while the bookies like Orlando as a new destination, it seems very unlikely that it will come into fruition.
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