- The Phoenix Suns would move Deandre Ayton to the Atlanta Hawks
- The Hawks would add a quality starting big man
- The Suns would round out their roster and add depth
The Phoenix Suns are a team that is clearly in win-now mode, as evidenced by their acquisition of Kevin Durant at the 2023 trade deadline as well as their more recent move for Bradley Beal. The team is clearly talented, and all that is missing for them is elite role players who can help them win a championship and provide depth.
The easiest way for the team to add depth is by trading Deandre Ayton, as his large contract ensures that the team can absorb the contracts of multiple role players in a trade. A natural partner for the Suns is the Atlanta Hawks, who are a team that needs one big move to reach the next level. Here is a potential trade framework that sends Deandre Ayton to the Hawks for three players.
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Deandre Ayton
Phoenix Suns Receive: Clint Capela, Saddiq Bey, Kobe Bufkin
This trade would allow the Atlanta Hawks to make an addition that helps them win in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns would be able to round out their roster and remain highly competitive with better depth. Here is why both teams should consider making this trade.
The Atlanta Hawks Would Land One Of The Best Centers In The League
Even though he has not developed into a superstar-level player, Deandre Ayton is still an elite center who would start on most competitive teams. Last season, Deandre Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Phoenix Suns while shooting 58.9% from the field. He is a solid interior scorer with some rim protection on the other end of the floor.
As of right now, Deandre Ayton’s perfect fit involves him next to a high-level point guard who can get him easy looks close to the basket. The Atlanta Hawks have both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, and playing Ayton next to either star guard is bound to produce great results. Essentially, Deandre Ayton would be an upgrade on Clint Capela, who provides extra offense on top of what Capela provides already.
This would essentially be a consolidation trade for the Atlanta Hawks, as the team would have to send out Clint Capela, Saddiq Bey, and Kobe Bufkin to get the deal done. The team would be banking on Ayton thriving when made more of a focal point and being more of a difference-maker than the trio of role players. That would be a good bet from their perspective, especially due to the center’s fit with the franchise.
The Phoenix Suns Add Quality Depth
It is true that championships are often won by talented stars who can score at a high level. With that being said, it is also true that a lot of championship teams have quality depth and players who could contribute all around the roster. The Suns are an older team as well, and they are clearly a squad that needs players who can take on some of the wear and tear of the regular season. This deal would give them contributors all across the roster, and these players can fill much-needed roles on the team.
The key addition here for the Phoenix Suns is Clint Capela, who is a decent defensive center who does not require many touches on the offensive end. He is a role player who is willing to rebound, hustle, and do the dirty work on the court, and Capela seems like the perfect player to pair with a group of elite score-first stars. This past season, Clint Capela averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Saddiq Bey is a 3 and D wing player who found a suitable role on the Atlanta Hawks last season. He could play a similar role on the Phoenix Suns, and as a catch-and-shoot wing, he can be a great contributor on offense. Saddiq Bey had solid overall production last season, putting up 14.1 points while shooting 36.1% from 3PT range.
The last piece of this deal features newly drafted prospect Kobe Bufkin. Though Bufkin is a rookie, he could still provide quality minutes during the regular season coming off the bench for the Phoenix Suns. In college, Kobe Bufkin showed that he can be a solid on-ball defender, and that means he can get minutes for the Suns.
For the Phoenix Suns, this is a trade about fit and roster balance. Adding three role players and giving up Deandre Ayton will help the overall roster construction, and this is also a move that gives the Suns contributors in the now and some flexibility for the future.
This Could Be A Win-Win Deal For Both Teams
There is no doubt that this trade could potentially become a move that works out for both teams. There are still plenty of people who believe Deandre Ayton has some untapped potential. He is a very gifted player, who hasn’t always been in the perfect situation for his own individual development. Going to the Atlanta Hawks would give him the opportunity for a bigger role than he would have with the Phoenix Suns, and perhaps that is what Ayton needs to truly reach the next level.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns would get some pieces that could help them win a championship immediately. They don’t need a center that is a focal point; rather, they need players that can contribute immediately in smaller roles. This trade would get them just that.
It remains to be seen if the two sides would ever consider a trade with this framework. Though there is no indication that the Suns are trying to trade Deandre Ayton quickly, this is a scenario that could work once they open up the trade talks.
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