The Mavericks and Suns were rumored to be in trade talks around the NBA draft regarding a potential deal for Deandre Ayton. While talks have since cooled off, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the possibility for those conversations to resume remains on the table.
“Sources with knowledge of the Phoenix/Dallas trade discussions said a resumption of the Ayton talks could not be ruled out,” wrote Stein via his Substack.
“Trading for Ayton would be a pricey gamble for Dallas, given the years and millions left on the inconsistent big man's deal, but it's a gamble that the Mavericks would ultimately be willing to take given their need for a center and the relatively low cost to acquire the player chosen two picks ahead of Luka Dončić at No. 1 overall in 2018.”
Phoenix has been active this offseason, hiring Frank Vogel to replace former head coach Monty Williams and executing a blockbuster trade with the Wizards that landed Bradley Beal in exchange for Chris Paul. Paul was later traded to the Warriors in a deal for Jordan Poole.
While their previous Ayton trade discussions have fallen apart, Stein indicates that there’s a chance negotiations can resume, though that doesn’t mean a deal is on the horizon.
Last season, Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 58.9% from the field. The 24-year-old has three years and just over $102 million left on his contract and is due around $32.5 million in 2023–24.
