Are the Spurs a Serious Destination for Deandre Ayton?
Discourse surrounding Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has shifted from an unknown feeling on his status re-signing with the team to an overwhelming feeling that he'll be dealt in a sign-and-trade for other capital.
Thus, many teams throughout the NBA would consider themselves as suitors for an athletic big man who has yet to reach his potential if they either have the cap space or simply need a presence at center.
Count the San Antonio Spurs in that race, says Inside The Spurs' Grant Afseth. In a recent article, he went through a buy-or-sell list of Spurs items which included debating the team's interest in Ayton.
Buying San Antonio as Potential Destination for Ayton
"The Spurs will be linked to many talented players as a potential landing spot, and Deandre Ayton has become a common one. Not many teams have cap space to work with this offseason, and San Antonio has a track record of being a competent, competitive franchise," said Afseth.
"The team Ayton signs his offer sheet with is going to need to check a few boxes. Not only will they need to be willing to offer a max contract to him, but they will also need to have an enticing trade package to offer the Suns to execute a sign-and-trade.
"Unlike Sexton, Ayton will be the priority for quite a few teams wanting to make an upgrade at center this offseason. What he seeks in a team remains to be seen.
"Verdict: Buying the Spurs as a potential Deandre Ayton landing spot. Ayton's plan is what matters here."
At the end of the day, Phoenix will simply not let Ayton leave for free. Signing him is a no-brainer, the hard part is figuring out a trade package that is within their parameters of the salary cap and enticing enough to pull the trigger on.
The Suns obviously want to secure the best deal possible, but would they be hesitant to deal him within the west?
At the end of the day Phoenix needs to believe in whatever trade they accept, they're getting the better end of the deal. If that entails potentially facing Ayton in the playoffs, so be it.
As a restricted free agent, Ayton is allowed to help facilitate talks for a sign-and-trade as long as he hasn't signed an offer sheet from another team.
Will that be in San Antonio? Only time will tell, but it appears as if the Spurs aren't going anywhere in the running for Ayton.
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