Deandre Ayton Officially Becomes Trade Eligible
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is now officially eligible to be traded.
After the Indiana Pacers sent him an offer sheet in restricted free agency, the Suns quickly matched and ensured he would remain in Phoenix to begin the 2022-23 season.
The matched offer sheet (four years, $133 million) restricted Ayton from being involved in any trades, up until now. Today (Jan. 15) marks the first day he can be dealt to another team, although there are still restrictions preventing him from being traded.
Ayton has the power to veto any deal during the first year of his contract, and he can't be traded to Indiana this season as well.
That hasn't stopped rumors around Ayton and his potential availability, as it's no secret the Suns tried to shop him dating back to last year's trade deadline.
Now, with the upcoming deadline (Feb. 9) quickly approaching, the possibility still remains.
Thus far, Ayton has averaged 17.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per night on 58.1% shooting. With key players such as Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Cam Johnson out, many looked to Ayton to shoulder the Suns and help push them through adversity.
With accolades such as his recent deal and being Phoenix's only No. 1 pick, lofty expectations have followed. For a large part of the season, he's yet to deliver.
The Suns are still looking to offload Jae Crowder and now could potentially include Ayton in a potential deal as well.
There's been plenty of weird energy from Ayton since rejoining Phoenix, and nobody knows if he's either truly happy with the Suns or vice-versa.
Yet if general manager James Jones wanted to part ways, that option is now (somewhat) on the table.
