NBA Rumors: Ayton Return To Phoenix "Untenable": Rumored Trade With Nets

It's a situation that has deteriorated over the last 12 months. Ayton started the season upset that he wasn't handed a max rookie extension, then finished the year pinned to the bench in the 4th quarter of the Phoenix Suns' Game 7 elimination. His coach, Monty Williams, said there were "internal issues." 

Now, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer says that an Ayton return to Phoenix is looking extremely unlikely.

The relationships between him and Phoenix's other primary actors—most notably head coach Monty Williams and point guard Chris Paul—seem untenable for an Ayton return.

There are not many teams that have the cap space to offer Ayton the maximum he's looking for, so where he lands is still greatly up for debate. 

The latest rumor has Ayton heading to the Brooklyn Nets.

Potential DeAndre Ayton trade package floating around:

Suns receive: Nic Claxton, Joe Harris and maybe Cam Thomas

Nets receive: DeAndre Ayton

(Via @RealQuintonMayo ) pic.twitter.com/Jfac2cNFAU

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 29, 2022

In this proposed deal, the Nets would send center Nic Claxton, sharpshooter Joe Harris and possibly Cam Thomas to Phoenix. This package sounds a bit thin to land Ayton, but stranger things have happened.

The bookmakers are setting the odds on the Detroit Pistons landing Ayton if he leaves the Suns, at +150 on BetOnline.ag. The Toronto Raptors are 2nd at +250, while the Indiana Pacers are close behind at +350.

Free agency begins at 6:00pm ET on Thursday. 

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports