Deandre Ayton traded to Portland in historic three-team deal with Blazers and Bucks – Bright Side of the Sun. Today we will discuss about Deandre Ayton: Trade rumors| Trade pacers| Trade clippers.
Deandre Ayton: Trade rumors| Trade pacers| Trade clippers
DeAndre Adonil Ayton Sr. (born July 23, 1998) is a Bahamian professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A consensus five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American in the class of 2017, he played one season of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, where he was named Pac-12 Player of the Year. Ayton was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019. In 2021, he helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.
Portland Trail Blazers | |
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Position | Center |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | July 23, 1998 Nassau, Bahamas |
Nationality | Bahamian |
Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
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College | Arizona (2017–2018) |
NBA draft | 2018: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
Playing career | 2018–present |
Career history | |
2018–2023 | Phoenix Suns |
2023–present | Portland Trail Blazers |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Trade rumors
The Phoenix Suns have traded center Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a multi-team deal sending superstar guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania report, the Suns received center Jusuf Nurkic as part of the package.
Milwaukee dealt Jrue Holiday to the Blazers, who also received Phoenix rookie Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected Milwaukee first pick and the rights to swap picks with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030.
The 29-year-old Nurkic averaged 13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 51.9% from the field in 52 games. He signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Blazers last summer, meaning he has three more years left on his contract. Nurkic is not particularly the most dynamic or defensive-minded center, with most of his efficiency coming from his scoring and passing in the post as well as his rebounding.
Trade pacers
Recent reports have indicated that the Indiana Pacers may look to trade for Buddy Hield after the two sides were unable to reach agreement on a contract extension.
This could give the Suns the perfect start to pairing Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal with one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the NBA.
Adding Hield will give the Suns’ offense another threat to work with, as he will have more room to roam at the three-point line than any team he has been a part of.
For Indiana, bringing back Grayson Allen gives them a good replacement in terms of shooting, but the real prize in the deal will be Nassir Little.
The Pacers have reportedly been looking to add a defensive-minded wing throughout the summer, and while Little isn’t on OG Anunoby’s level, he has the potential to be a great 3-and-D guy for years to come.
Trade clippers
It depends on how you feel about Ayton. Some would suggest he is overpaid. This may be true. Ayton is a limited player. This is a traditional big man. Ayton doesn’t shoot, and while he’s not the least active defensive big man in the league, he’s also not the most variable.
That said, neither is Zubac. Ayton, meanwhile, is a much more accomplished offensive player. Ayton has a soft touch around the rim that allows him to score efficiently inside. On the defensive end, he is a strong rim protector and impressive rebounder. Ayton is a physical specimen who can dominate games when locked down.
Meanwhile, what’s the Clippers’ loss here? He is also unlikely to play in Covington this year. Ayton is an upgrade to Zubac. The previously protected lottery is a small price to pay to upgrade them to 5.