Lake Show Life
Fansided

Lakers should simply hang up if Suns call about Deandre Ayton trade

By Jason Reed

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns talks to referee Tom Washington #49 during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 24, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns talks to referee Tom Washington #49 during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 24, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs in blowout fashion on Sunday, losing 123-90 in Game 7 to a Dallas Mavericks team that was down 3-2 against the Suns. With how much smack Phoenix has talked about the Los Angeles Lakers, Laker fans relished in the Suns falling short against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

The biggest story stemming from this loss is the future of Deandre Ayton in Phoenix. The Suns did not sign Ayton to a new contract before the season and he is now entering the offseason as a restricted free agent. Suns owner Robert Sarver is not known for being someone who likes to spend and with Phoenix already spending big on Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges, Ayton may be on his way out.

Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that Ayton ‘did not feel valued by Phoenix’. There undoubtedly will be a market for him and unless the two sides can come to an agreement and Phoenix pays him, we may have seen the last of Ayton in a Suns uniform.

However, with Ayton being a restricted free agent, the Suns could try and get something for him, potentially even punching up to get a bigger star with the potential that Ayton has.

If the Suns call offering a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade then the Lakers should instantly hang up the phone.

If the Suns are calling the Lakers for a potential Ayton trade then there is only one player that they have their eyes on: Anthony Davis. We have already covered the idea of the Lakers trading Davis for Ayton and it just does not make sense from a basketball standpoint.

Sure, there is a legitimate reason for the Lakers to potentially flip Davis for a younger big with potential. If there are legitimate injury concerns around Davis and the team wants to get younger while maintaining star power then you cannot blame them (even if it is unlikely they would ever actually trade him).

Ayton just is not the guy the Lakers would want/need. If the T-Wolves called and dangled Karl-Anthony Towns it would be one thing. Ayton, though. Would not be worth it. He undoubtedly has value but he cannot be the second-best player on a title team in the next 2-3 years and is not a franchise player to build around in the future like AD.

Next. Westbrook and the 10 worst trades in franchise history. dark

Centers like Ayton simply are not as valuable in today’s game and even if there were picks or a role player involved, the Lakers would undoubtedly be getting worse in this trade not only next season but in future years as well.

Home/Lakers News