B/R Says Suns Need to Make This Trade
Trade rumors surrounding Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton have only gained steam in recent days thanks to reports of the Suns being looped in as a potential fourth team to help facilitate a deal for Damian Lillard - and many believe Ayton is the chess piece that will be moved in a complicated web of moves.
The Suns had been off and on interested in dealing the former No. 1 pick until they reportedly told teams in the summer he was off limits. This followed a busy offseason where the team gutted the roster and coaching staff in hopes of brighter days.
For now, Ayton deals are back on the menu, and the latest suggestion comes from Bleacher Report where the Charlotte Hornets are the winners of the Ayton sweepstakes:
B/R Sends Deandre Ayton to Charlotte
The Deal: Gordon Hayward, Nick Richards and a 2026 first-round pick for Deandre Ayton
Andy Bailer: "Thanks to provisions in the new collective bargaining agreement, Phoenix is seriously incentivized to turn Ayton into multiple players this season, and the Charlotte Hornets should be interested.
"Charlotte has been in need of a consistent 5 for years, and though Mark Williams showed some potential last season, we already know Ayton is a borderline 20-10 guy who's only three years older than LaMelo Ball. Together, those two could develop into one of the best inside-out duos in the league. And if surrounded by plenty of shooters (like Brandon Miller), the Hornets could push for a playoff spot as early as this season.
"For Phoenix, this not only moves a player who may not want to be there (especially when he sees all the shots Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are about to take), but it also beefs up a rotation currently populated almost entirely by minimum-contract players.
"Gordon Hayward is on an expiring contract, so there isn't a huge commitment there. And with his experience and outside shooting ability, he should be happy to be a gap-filler and floor-spacer for the superstars.
"Nick Richards, meanwhile, would give the Suns a young-ish (he'll be 26 in November) 5 who'll be more content to do the dirty work for a top-heavy roster than Ayton was."
