The Dallas Mavericks are eager to acquire Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns, but their initial trade offer, made earlier this summer, failed to meet the Suns’ expectations. Despite securing Richaun Holmes and rookie Dereck Lively II, the Mavericks continued to explore the possibility of adding a veteran center to their roster.
One prominent trade rumor involved Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks engaged in trade discussions with the Suns during the June draft. Their offer included Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes, and JaVale McGee. Notably, McGee was the centerpiece of this proposal, but according to PHNX Sports, the overall offer was considered “underwhelming.”
According to Gerald Bourguet, “One source told PHNX Sports that the Dallas Mavericks made an underwhelming offer for Ayton over the summer, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported in May that Ayton would be ‘excited about a fresh start with another franchise’ following the Suns’ second-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets,”
So, what would it take for the Suns to consider trading their former 2018 No. 1 overall pick to a conference rival?
“It would take a compelling offer to get the Suns to reconsider their stance on Ayton. Not only would Phoenix seek a starting-caliber big man to replace DA, but they’d also need additional assets — either a young player with potential who could also contribute right now on a contender, draft compensation to help refill their empty cupboard, or both,” Bourguet notes.
While the Suns did contemplate trade offers for Deandre Ayton on the night of the 2023 NBA Draft, those offers were considered subpar. One source even described them as “trash,” leading the Suns to retain their former top pick during the offseason.
Considering the Mavericks‘ limited future first-round draft picks available for trades, it remains uncertain whether they would be willing to part with one for Ayton. While Deandre Ayton could significantly bolster their center position, his hefty contract, worth around $34 million annually for the next three seasons, has raised questions about its value.
If the Mavericks cannot reach a contract extension agreement with Josh Green, a fourth-year player, they may consider trading him instead of sacrificing substantial draft capital for Deandre Ayton. Alternatively, they could choose to engage in restricted free agency next summer. The decision may hinge on the Mavericks’ front office’s belief in Ayton’s potential, given that he recently turned 25 and is theoretically entering his prime years.
Alternatively, if JaVale McGee was the primary obstacle in the initial draft-night offer for Ayton, the Mavericks could return to the negotiating table with a revised proposal, possibly featuring only Hardaway and Holmes, along with a couple of second-round draft picks. The revival of previous trade talks between the Mavericks and the Suns remains uncertain, but it appears that Phoenix may not be entirely committed to retaining Ayton in the long term.
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