NBA Rumors: 3 Destinations For Deandre Ayton On Trade Market

The buzz in NBA circles this week, following the unceremonious disposal of the Phoenix Suns from the playoffs, is that center Deandre Ayton has probably played his last game in the desert. 

ESPN was reporting that frustration with Ayton was growing within the Suns locker room. It's almost certain that he won't be back. 

So which teams would be interested in trading for the 5-year veteran? Here are three possible landing spots for the former No. 1 overall pick. 

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs have the All-Star backcourt, but Ayton would provide the big man up front that the team so desperately needs. They lack rebounding and scoring from the center position. Adding Ayton (10.4 rebounds career average, and 18 PPG this past season) would solve both of those issues. 

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers handed Ayton a massive 4-year, $133M offer sheet last summer as a restricted free agent. Clearly, the two sides have interest in one another. Could the Pacers revisit their pursuit of the big man, this time on the trade market?

Although they re-upped with center Myles Turner on an extension earlier this season, it's a contract that would have a lot of value around the league on the trade market if they wanted to go that route. 

Portland Trail Blazers

Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is a free agent, and if they choose not to re-sign him, a trade for Ayton could make sense. Portland is looking to add stars around Damian Lillard, and they have some perimeter pieces that the Suns could use, to replace the wings they traded away in the Kevin Durant deal. Matisse Thybulle, Nassir Little and Cam Reddish are wing players that could help Phoenix add some necessary parts around Durant and Booker. 

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