Suns Center Deandre Ayton Linked to Potential Mavericks Move

The Phoenix Suns are currently down 2-0 to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals, and a major focus will be on how the team can respond heading back home for Games 3 and 4.

The series is (hopefully) far from over, but the looming possibilities of the offseason are always prominent in the NBA world. With only one NBA Finals winner each season, teams are always looking for the next move to make them a champion.

The Dallas Mavericks couldn't quite reach their championship aspirations this year, and time is ticking to maximize the talents of Luka Doncic before things get ugly.

One potential rumored name is Suns center Deandre Ayton, according to The Athletic's Tim Cato. Ayton and Milwaukee's Khris Middleton reportedly are names that have been "floated" as possibilities.

The relationship between Suns management and Ayton hasn't exactly been great dating back to last season. Phoenix and Ayton's camp couldn't come to an agreement when trying to negotiate a new deal, making him a restricted free agent last summer.

The Indiana Pacers initially signed Ayton to an offer sheet before the Suns matched right away, keeping him in Phoenix for the foreseeable future.

However, that hasn't stopped speculation from swirling around Ayton - especially considering the Suns reportedly engaged in multiple trade talks through the last year.

There would be a lot that has to happen - Ayton has a no-trade clause in his contract for the first year of his deal and would want to actively move away from the team if the interest was legitimate.

Would the Mavericks have what the Suns covet as suitable trade capital? Would Phoenix want to continue shaking up their roster after the Kevin Durant trade? Does Ayton himself even want to stay with the Suns?

Those are questions that will unfold over the coming months, but it's clear there's still smoke around Ayton's future.