Can Mavs Trade for DeAndre Ayton to Join Luka Doncic in 3-Team Swap?
The Dallas Mavericks have been connected to Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton in numerous trade rumors over the last few months, and that could continue after a recent report out of Philadelphia.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer, the Suns want Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, with Philly finding a third team to take Ayton.
"The Suns want the Sixers to facilitate a 3-team deal that would land Tobias Harris in Phoenix, according to a league source. The third team would take Suns center Deandre Ayton and send assets to Philly," Pompey wrote.
If the Mavs wanted to be that third team, here is a deal that could work, assuming Christian Wood and the 76ers would want each other.
Mavs receive: Deandre Ayton
Suns receive: Tobias Harris
76ers receive: Christian Wood (sign-and-trade for three years, $63 million), Maxi Kleber - or - Reggie Bullock
The Mavs drafted Dereck Lively II to address some of their needs down low, and they also received Richaun Holmes from the Sacramento Kings. Adding Ayton at this reduced cost, though, could take even more pressure off Lively to produce at a high level from day one. It would also give Ayton a much-needed change of scenery, as he'd attempt to live up to that 2018 No. 1 overall pick hype alongside Luka Doncic.
If the Mavs can make a deal like this work while also retaining their ability to use the full $12.4 million MLE this summer, it's a no-brainer. We'll see if they choose to get in on this one as the third team between now and June 30 when free agency begins.
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