Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: 50-41
By Corey Rausch
46. Deandre Ayton
Like John Collins before, a suspension and lack of playoff appearance have made the focus on Deandre Ayton less than if should have bene. Do not let any of that fool you, he is a star in the making and as the Phoenix Suns continue to progress towards a potential playoff berth that will only get clearer.
This season, in 38 games Ayton posted improved averages of 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in just 32.5 minutes per game. He boasts a defensive rating lower than the team would like but still better than more lauded players like P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington, for example. For a second year player he is making waves quickly.
His time in the seeding games was somewhat discouraging, statistics dropping across the board. But for a young player on a young team playing their first meaningful games in their professional careers he was still acceptable. The experience will prove invaluable and he has shown the ability to take leaps from one season to the next. For Suns fans a quick turnaround and progression looks to be on the horizon. Adding Chris Paul to the mix will make another leap for Ayton academic. He will be partnering with the best pick and roll partner he could have ever hoped for.