Insider Reveals Fate of Suns' Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns have quite the offseason ahead of them.
It feels like we dubbed the summer of 2022 as very important, for obvious reasons. Devin Booker was up for a super max contract and Deandre Ayton was going to be a restricted free agent after the Suns failed to capitalize on what many felt was a championship roster.
Yet 2023 feels even more important, as Phoenix rolled the dice on a trade that brought Kevin Durant to the Valley after new ownership led by Mat Ishbia took over. The Suns recently fired Monty Williams and hired Frank Vogel to hopefully extend a championship window.
There's not wiggle room in Phoenix this summer - nine players are set to hit free agency on a roster that has Booker and Durant locked in.
The most ample opportunity for change - something Suns fans demand after again losing in the second round - will come with the status of Ayton and Chris Paul.
NBA insider Tim MacMahon hopped on the Hoop Collective Podcast and said he was, "pretty sure [Ayton] will be traded this summer" while Paul is "more likely" to remain in Phoenix.
Ayton is no stranger to trade rumors, as the former No. 1 pick has seen plenty of smoke around his name. Phoenix hasn't exactly been content with what they've gotten out of him, even after matching the offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers in free agency last offseason.
The Suns have reportedly been looking to find Paul's replacement for the last few months, expressing interest in guys such as Kyrie Irving and even trying to acquire him at the deadline before Durant eventually came. Paul - in his late thirties - has a June 28 option that will see the Suns fully guarantee his $30+ million salary for 2023-24.
