Gambo: Suns Would 'Very Likely' Need Three Teams in Trade Involving Deandre Ayton
Nearly three full weeks into the offseason, and trade talk around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is heating up at rampant pace.
By now, you likely know the gist of Ayton's tenure in Phoenix: The former No. 1 pick has steadily improved since first arriving to the league, but a sour ending to the 2022 postseason and rumored tension between he and coach Monty Williams may have been the final straw.
Ayton didn't have his rookie extension (five-year, $172.5 million) picked up by the Suns last season, and other reports suggest Phoenix simply doesn't believe Ayton is worth his max contract asking price.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, teams around the league will be more than happy to pick up that tab. However, the Suns likely won't let Ayton walk for free.
Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro laid out the five possible scenarios for Ayton's upcoming summer:
1. Suns agree to a deal on terms
2. Suns match a RFA offer from another team
3. Sign-and-Trade
4. Suns let him walk
5. Plays on Qualifying Offer
Gambadoro says you can essentially count out the last two possibilities, as the Suns control Ayton's destiny and likely wouldn't let him walk for free, and Ayton would basically be taking a 50% cut on his potential pay be signing the QO.
At this moment in time, a sign-and-trade involving Ayton is a strong possibility if the team isn’t intent on retaining him.
However, Gambadoro also believes the Suns would need a three-team trade in order to easier facilitate the deal.
Between Wojnarowski and ESPN's Zach Lowe, the following teams either have interest or have been labeled as fits for Ayton: Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets.
A three-team deal would loosen salary cap restrictions between the two initial parties (in this case Phoenix and the interested team) making it easier to complete a deal.
With nine players currently signed to the roster for next season, the Suns are already over the projected salary cap for the 2022-23 season. Handing Ayton a max deal would bury the Suns into the luxury tax, although general manager James Jones said he wouldn't have a problem doing so in order to keep his team together.
A sign-and-trade would still be difficult, as highlighted by SB Nation’s Dave King (a great read if you want to gain a better insight into the financial mechanics of Ayton’s situation).
Ayton's future will be wildly speculated within the next few months, and should he be dealt, don't be surprised if three teams are ultimately involved like Gambo mentioned.
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