Deandre Ayton Loses Trade Veto Power This Week; Insider Talks Trade Possibilities

It's been a long, sometimes sordid saga for former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton in Phoenix. He was in a prolonged snit with the Suns organization for almost two years after the team refused to extend him when he was first eligible, and was still left unhappy even after the team matched a 4-year, $133M offer sheet one year ago. 

Now that that 365-day period is up on Saturday, so is his one-year window with trade veto power. With the trade limits off, will the Suns finally deal the disgruntled big man? 

Not if you listen to ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks:

I don’t think (July 15) is a big deal at all. If there was a trade out there for Deandre Ayton and it made sense for him from a basketball standpoint, I think he would approve it. I think certainly it’s more of just a date of when that offer sheet was signed and eventually when it was matched.  

I think Deandre will be on this roster and I think it’s more of a decision (of) where this roster is in December and January and if we get closer to the trade deadline, if something needs to be done.

The No. 1 pick in the 2018 Draft, Ayton has had a very consistently solid, if not spectacular first five seasons in Phoenix, averaging 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds over that half-decade. He was up to 18.0 points this past season with his usual 10 rebounds.

New Suns' coach Frank Vogel vows to get more out of Ayton, after the center had somewhat of a contentious relationship with his previous head coach, Monty Williams. 

But the Suns also have a salary cap issue to deal with, as Ayton's $32.5M salary next season is actually the fourth-highest on the team, behind Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. 

Thus far this offseason, several complementary veterans have accepted close to the minimum to help fill out the Suns' roster, so maybe a clearing out of Ayton's salary won't be needed, and Marks will be on-point with his assessment. 

Only time will tell. There's still 2½ months of offseason left. Anything can happen.

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports