Report: Mavericks Made 'Underwhelming' Offer for Suns Center Deandre Ayton
Although we're in the late stages, it's still offseason hours for NBA fans which means one thing: Rumors around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton.
It's a tale as old as time, as Ayton hasn't truly made good on his potential as the franchise's sole No. 1 pick.
Before and after the Suns matched an offer sheet made by the Indiana Pacers last offseason, trade speculation has been rampant surrounding Ayton.
There were some rumblings that the Dallas Mavericks were one team interested in Ayton, and a recent report from PHNX suggests their offer was... less than ideal:
"One source told PHNX Sports that the Dallas Mavericks made an underwhelming offer for Ayton over the summer, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported in May that Ayton would be 'excited about a fresh start with another franchise' following the Suns’ second-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets," wrote Gerald Bourguet.
Phoenix has been rumored to be a potential - and crucial - piece to the puzzle for a Damian Lillard trade:
"Outside Phoenix, Ayton is viewed as an enticing piece who could help facilitate a Lillard trade. Sources in Portland confirmed that Ayton’s name has come up multiple times over the last few weeks, and PHNX Sports reported last year that the Blazers had interest in the Suns big man. DA only turned 25 years old over the summer, and Portland believes he’d be sellable to the fanbase as a young, former first overall pick with room to grow in the right change of scenery.
"The Suns have not been actively shopping Ayton in any way, shape or form, but they have listened to offers to do their due diligence. No one would fault Phoenix for being perfectly content entering the season with DA as their starting center, but talks between the Suns, Blazers and Heat have intensified over the last day or so."
Ayton previously had a no-trade clause last season but is now available. It's unclear exactly what the offer was but perhaps Dallas believed the Suns merely wanted to offload their big man.
However, new Suns head coach Frank Vogel appears intent on maximizing Ayton:
"I think he can be one of the best centers in the league," said Vogel earlier in the offseason.
"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."
Time will tell if Ayton gets moved.
