NBA Rumors: Suns Predicted To Trade Ayton To Pacers, Not Mavs

The Phoenix Suns have been predicted to trade Deandre Ayton to the Indiana Pacers this NBA offseason and not the Dallas Mavericks. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes the Pacers and Suns will strike a deal on an Ayton trade this offseason.

“The Indiana Pacers remain a perfect fit for Ayton, with Myles Turner looking like a strong defensive, three-point shooting piece for the Suns as well,” Swartz wrote. “The two sides should work on a deal this offseason once trade restrictions have lifted on July 14.

“Prediction: Dallas sniffs around an Ayton trade, but Phoenix ultimately sends him to Indiana instead.”

Ayton tried to leave the Suns last summer by signing a four-year, $132.9 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers in restricted free agency. However, Phoenix matched Indiana’s offer sheet.

Ayton averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds during the regular season for the Suns, but his numbers declined in the postseason to 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds. The former No. 1 overall pick put up 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in the Denver Nuggets series and didn’t register a positive plus-minus rating in any game.

The Suns are expected to aggressively explore the trade market for Ayton this summer. The team lost to the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games.

“Sources told ESPN that Ayton’s teammates have shared their coach’s frustration with what they perceive to be inconsistent effort and aggression from the 7-footer,” Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported. “Ayton would be excited about a fresh start with another franchise, sources told ESPN. The Suns are expected to aggressively explore the trade market for him this summer, league sources said.”

Ayton will make $32.5 million next season. He turns 25 in July. The big man told reporters during his end-of-the-season press conference that he loves playing for the Suns.

However, that doesn’t mean much since players rarely tell the honest truth during press conferences when it comes to trades.

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