Deandre Ayton has had a very rough time in the series against the Denver Nuggets, and things just got worse for him in Game 3.
Ayton was so bad, that Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams subbed him out in the fourth quarter for Jock Landale. The big man didn’t take the benching all too well, as he ignored Chris Paul who was trying to cheer him up.
Deandre Ayton left Chris Paul hanging twice after getting pulled for Jock Landale in the 4th quarter of Game 3.
He also exited the arena quickly before media were allowed in, per @espn_mcmahon 👀
(🎥 via @eliavgabay)pic.twitter.com/VHbpKNLYgX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 6, 2023
Ayton once again showed a lack of effort at times and was tentative near the basket as well. He had 4 points, 9 rebounds, and a block when Williams decided he had seen enough and took him off. In what is a bit of indictment on Ayton, Landale had 6 points and 9 rebounds while playing fewer minutes than him. The Suns were just better when the Australian was playing, and Williams was right to keep him in the game over Ayton.
While you can understand the lack of offensive production, as he has to guard Nikola Jokic for long stretches, his lack of effort is really unacceptable. It was seen in Game 1 when he just stood around and allowed Jokic to grab three offensive rebounds. Stephen A. Smith blasted him for getting embarrassed by Jokic, but it doesn’t seem like Ayton is motivated enough to do anything about it.
Should The Suns Part Ways With Deandre Ayton In The Offseason?
The Suns were very hesitant to give Ayton the long-term deal he wanted, and it was only when the Indiana Pacers gave him a four-year, $133 million contract, that they matched it, as they couldn’t afford to let him leave for free. If he continues to play like this the rest of the way, though, then you’d believe the Suns would be eager to trade him away in the offseason.
It is doubtful they would get much in return, however, as his stock has probably never been lower. Phoenix’s decision to select him with the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft just looks like a bigger mistake with every passing day.
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