Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trades: 3 sign-and-trades for Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns

By Jack Simone

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 08: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 08, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 08: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 08, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NBA Trades, Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
PORTLAND, OREGON – DECEMBER 14: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns has his pass deflected by Robert Covington #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on December 14, 2021 in Portland, Oregon, NBA Trades: 3 sign-and-trades for Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 sign-and-trades for Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns: Portland Trail Blazers

Suns receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Hart

Trail Blazers receive: Deandre Ayton

The Portland Trail Blazers are in a very interesting spot as a franchise. After a terrible season that was blown up by injuries, they are looking to reshape the team around superstar point guard Damian Lillard.

Portland traded CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, and others at the trade deadline, opening up space to add new pieces this summer. They will have over $20 million in cap space and the ability to clear up more.

Lillard recently liked a tweet that suggested that Ayton should join him in Portland, kickstarting rumors that the big man could be dealt there. If that were a possibility, this trade would benefit both sides.

Jusuf Nurkic is also set to be a free agent this summer. Phoenix and Portland could complete a double sign-and-trade, which would give the Suns a new big man to play alongside Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

In addition, the Suns would get some valuable support on the perimeter. Josh Hart played amazingly for the Blazers toward the end of last season and would be the perfect 3&D player for Phoenix.

Nurkic and Hart would be a quality haul for Ayton, especially considering Ayton may not want to be there anymore (shoutout to Eric Bledsoe). The Suns would get some added depth, and the Blazers would get an All-Star-caliber center.

Home/Phoenix Suns