James Jones and the Phoenix Suns did not pick anyone in the 2022 NBA Draft. They also might lose star center DeAndre Ayton in free agency.
The 23-year-old Bahamian big man enters the free agency as one of the biggest names. The Suns can still match any offer that Ayton will be given up to the max, which is $131 million over four years. They can also pay Ayton more than any other team can. That's $177 million over five years.
The flip-side, however, is that the Suns may actually want to do a sign-and-trade. They may sign Ayton and swap him for an upgrade at the same position or picks or another key piece to their roster.
It was an uneventful draft night for the Suns, which means the pressure of the offseason falls on free agency now. For @PHNX_Suns, I wrote about what's ahead for James Jones, as well as his thoughts on Deandre Ayton and Phoenix's draft process: https://t.co/A8VLXt7HLw pic.twitter.com/Thdy6Jxybi
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 24, 2022
Despite these rumors swirling around, though, Suns GM James Jones stands pat on their position on Ayton.
“Nothing has changed on our end,” Jones told The Arizona Republic. “We haven't said anything different. DA remains a huge part of what we do and he's a free agent. So we'll talk about free agency when that time comes, but that hasn't changed. I think you hear his teammates. They echo the same sentiment that we have. This team is a really good team and we're going to keep it together.”
Ayton's teammates seem to echo that sentiment.
“Of course, that’s my guy,” Mikal Bridges said at a charity event. “That’s my best friend. Definitely don’t want him going anywhere else.”
Replacing Ayton wouldn't be easy if the Suns go that route. He has averaged double-doubles in each of his four seasons in Phoenix. Last year, he put up 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while recording career-high numbers in field goal percentage and three-point shooting.
One year ago today:
Deandre Ayton with the "Valley-oop" game winner vs the Clippers!#NBATwitter #ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/hPWmY2TAtZ
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) June 22, 2022
The sticking point with Ayton, however, has been his durability. He has yet to play a full 82-game season, and he missed 24 contests in 2021-2022.
If what Jones said is true about the Suns hell-bent on keeping DeAndre Ayton, then they'll have to find a way to have him healthy enough to play more games. They'd also have to find a way for Ayton to raise his production even more so he can move from being a fringe All-Star big man to a truly elite center.
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