Just a few seasons into their new-look experiment, the Chicago Bulls might look to tear things down. They failed to make the playoffs this year, and though injuries have certainly gotten in the way, it’s looking like the current core isn’t good enough to deliver a championship to the city.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns were eliminated in Round 2 for the second-straight year and could also be looking to shake things up this summer, especially now that they have parted ways with head coach Monty Williams. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, the Bulls could potentially be interested in a deal for big man Deandre Ayton as both teams look to reshape their roster.
Ayton signed an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers last summer after a rocky year with the Suns. However, Phoenix matched the contract and brought him back on board. But just one season later, it seems more likely than ever that the two sides will split.
One anonymous NBA GM told Deveney that the Suns will almost definitely explore trade options involving Ayton.
“It’s almost certain they will look into trading him. I think they feel like they can do all right with a mishmash of decent centers and changing their focus on getting better talent around those two star guys,” said the GM. “That’s been true for the past couple of years, really. Deandre has butted heads with Monty (Williams). But he can be a great player, still, it just needs to be somewhere else.”
Ayton put up solid numbers this past season, appearing in 67 games for the Suns and playing 30.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 58.9 percent shooting from the field. Deveney noted Chicago’s potential interest in tandem with their possible desire to switch things up.
As things stand, the Bulls already have a starting center in Nikola Vucevic. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and according to Deveney, they aren’t too keen on bringing him back into the fold on a long-term deal.
“But Vucevic is 32 and the Bulls do not want to make a long-term commitment,” Deveney wrote. “That’s easier to do with a player Ayton’s age. Chicago and Phoenix potentially could do a sign-and-trade for Vucevic, but the Suns are not prioritizing a big expenditure on a center if they move Ayton, sources told Heavy Sports.”
So, if the Bulls decide to break things up and go in a younger direction, targeting Ayton in a deal could be a great way to reset the roster, especially if they don’t wish to commit to Vucevic.
