Suns Double Down on Deandre Ayton's Potential
When it comes to speculation, very few compare to Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and what he's seen the last few years.
For multiple seasons - whether it be at the beginning of the year, at the trade deadline or in the heat of the offseason - Ayton found his name in trade rumors.
The former No. 1 pick has flashed his potential, though it hasn't been anywhere near the level the Suns had expected. The Suns have yet to capture that coveted first franchise title, and Ayton hitting the next level will need to happen before that can be accomplished.
There's hope that will happen for the 2023-24 season under a newly assembled roster and coaching staff leading the way. New Suns coach Frank Vogel has been vocal since his official press conference that Ayton would not only be staying in the Valley - he'd also be a large part of what the Suns did.
"I think he can be one of the best centers in the league," said Vogel when introduced to the media.
"I think he's shown that at times throughout his career, and I know he showed that when we played him in the playoffs a couple years back and he shot about 80% from the field and deterred every drive, every cut, every effort to attack the basket.
"He can be a big time deterrent. There's still areas that he can grow offensively. But I'm intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an all star level player."
Later down the road in an interview with Sirius XM radio, Vogel carried that same sentiment:
“I’m off to a great start with him from a relationship standpoint in terms of understanding that if we want him to defend and rebound at an All-Star level, then we’re going to have to involve him a little more in the offense. That’s just basketball 101, you learn that as a youngster,” Vogel said.
“You got to give those big guys the ball sometimes. When they get it, then they’ll run through the wall for you on the other end. I think we’re off to a great start with that. He’s going to be a big part of what we do.”
Vogel has been vocal about Phoenix's plans with Ayton, but he's not alone. One anonymous staffer from the Suns spoke to Spotrac's Keith Smith and reaffirmed that commitment.
“We’re committed to Deandre (Ayton). He’s going to play a key role for us this year as the backline of our defense. And we’ll make sure he gets enough touches on offense to keep him involved on that end too. It’s not just going to be him living off screens and offensive rebounds.”
After facing trade rumors for years, it appears Ayton is staying in the mix for now. Recently, Suns GM James Jones told The Arizona Republic Ayton himself knows he can maximize his talents in Phoenix:
"I’ll say it again, he’s not even 25 years old (turns 25 Sunday) and he’s six years into his NBA career. He’s an 18 (points per game) and 10 (rebounds per game) player and if you were to ask the game’s greatest players how easy it is to do that, they’ll tell you it’s extremely difficult, but even that bar isn’t high enough for him and others," said Jones.
“He’s challenging himself to change the narrative. Rightfully or unrightfully, whatever the word would be, he hears and he senses and he feels, but the outside opinion, I think, and I know internally, that he has change the narrative because if you look at the impact that he’s had on this team over the last three or four years is undeniable and without him playing at the level that he’s playing at, we’re not nearly as good as we’ve been.
"If he can take it to a level that I know he wants to, he makes us special and I think that’s the driver for him. The internal, external motivations will always be there and I think he’s just trying to harness that now.”
There's some lofty expectations for Ayton - both on his end and the organization's.
