After suffering a lopsided season-ending loss for the second consecutive postseason, the Suns are reportedly expected to enter the upcoming offseason looking to drastically reshape their roster around stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Phoenix’s season officially came to an end on Thursday in a 125–100 Game 6 loss to the Nuggets, a matchup both Chris Paul (groin) and Deandre Ayton (ribs) missed due to injury. With their shot at reaching this year’s NBA Finals now gone, there is speculation around the NBA that the team will explore the idea of moving Ayton and/or Paul this summer in an effort to add depth around Booker and Durant, according to a Friday report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
The Suns are said to be interested in “aggressively” exploring the trade market for Ayton, who would reportedly be “excited” about moving on to another franchise, per MacMahon. Several teams are expected to show interest in landing the 24-year-old center, a deal that would end his tumultuous stint in Phoenix a year after the club matched a $133 million offer sheet for Ayton amid ongoing tensions between the former No. 1 overall pick and the team.
As for Paul, 38, Phoenix is reportedly interested in assessing his value on the market before having to make a decision on his 2023–24 salary by the June 28 deadline, per MacMahon. The 12-time All-Star struggled at times during his 18th NBA season, and saw his playoff injury woes continue against Denver after a left groin strain sidelined him for the final four games of the series.
If Paul is still with the Suns beyond June 28, his partially guaranteed salary of $15.8 million would jump to a fully guaranteed $30.8 million for next season, a steep price to pay given his age and injury history. Adding in Paul’s salary would also put Phoenix on the hook for a $145 million payroll among their “Big Four” (Booker, Durant, Ayton).
With their embarrassing elimination game loss now behind Phoenix, Paul and Ayton’s future will be worth monitoring as it appears the Suns are headed for a new look with Booker and Durant, who was acquired at the deadline, at the forefront.
On the season, Ayton averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in the regular season (67 games), and 13.4 PPG and 9.7 RPG in 12 playoff games. Meanwhile, Paul averaged 13.9 PPG, 8.9 APG and 4.3 RPG in the regular season (57 games), and 12.4 PPG, 7.4 APG and 5.0 RPG in seven playoff games.
