Bradley Beal is now a Phoenix Sun, a surprise given how, uh, bad the trade was for the Washington Wizards.
But let’s focus on the Suns for the moment. They’ve dealt away so much depth, which might partially explain why their title odds improved just slightly, weird for a team with Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
That’s why the speculation has shifted to the franchise dealing Deandre Ayton. It would make some sense, right? They could use a different center given this current roster, along with way more depth.
Which leads us to fans delivering trade machine ideas involving Ayton:
1
Ayton to the Blazers
Who says No? pic.twitter.com/r80oXJcUPO
— Reg (@REGGIES_WORLD) June 19, 2023
A wild deal that would get John Collins to the Suns. This is fun.
2
Ayton becomes a Celtic
How about this Ayton trade? He’s a big upgrade for the #Celtics over the often-injured Williams. #Suns get two point guards. pic.twitter.com/hjTyGLLCUI
— Mike Barner (@rotomikebarner) June 18, 2023
I don’t see Boston making this deal, to be honest.
3
Ayton is a Hornet
If I were the Suns I'd trade Ayton for Mark Williams, Cody, and McGowens
Payne
Book
Beal
Durant
WilliamsBench: Okogie and/ or Craig, Bismack and /or Landale, Martin, McGowens, Goodwin, Bazley
That's a scrappy bench
Then Free Agency plus the 2nd round pick to round it out pic.twitter.com/Xbhz2FnLXp
— 🏀 Buhay Basketball 🏀 (@buhaybasketball) June 19, 2023
This, of course, includes the Beal deal. I don’t hate this for the rebuilding Hornets.
4
Ayton to the Hawks
Per #FlexFromJersey, #Suns and Atlanta #Hawks are discussing #trades again
If you are James Jones, do you pull the trigger on a deal like this?
If not, what's missing?#NBA #Ayton #Rumors #JohnCollins #NBAdraft pic.twitter.com/VPgje51S02
— ThePhoenixSuns.Com (Not The NBA Team) (@ThePhoenixSuns2) June 17, 2023
Once again, Collins is a Sun. Also there’s lots of depth here and Onyeka Okongwu would be the defensive center the Suns need. I love this one!
5
Ayton teams up with Luka
Trade Scenario with Wizards included for references. Picks may be different than listed here
Suns Get: Kyrie Irving, Javale McGee, Bradley Beal
Mavericks Get: DeAndre Ayton
Wizards Get: Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, Multiple 2nd Round Picks, Swap of 1sts pic.twitter.com/iEtmmD9r6P— Marcus C. Pearl (@MarcusCPearl) June 18, 2023
… But Kyrie Irving would join the Suns? Nope.
6
The Raptors grab Ayton
Randomly whipped this up right after the trade.
Raptors find direction, can keep pascal OG then add Ayton.
Phoenix get depth back, some small ball bigs. The amount of picks I think depends on how teams value DA, as you said pic.twitter.com/MndLa6XoEa
— Tobias Barkley (@TobiasBarkley) June 18, 2023
Not bad.
7
Ayton to the Nets
Or trade Ayton for Claxton and Dinwiddie! pic.twitter.com/YFDboSi0MO
— Xatoshi 🏴☠️ (@xatoshi_st) June 19, 2023
I don’t see the Nets doing this one, to be honest.
