But one guy whose situation has piqued the interest of many in the NBA is Suns center DeAndre Ayton, who was not given a contract extension by Phoenix after team owner Robert Sarver refused to offer Ayton a maximum contract extension that would go into effect in 2022-23. That’s been enough to get front-office folks wondering if Ayton would land on the trade market. “That is definitely not the case yet,” one general manager told Heavy.com. “The Suns still have a lot of the leverage in this. But if they really don’t think the situation is going to change, then yeah, they’d have to consider maybe making a move sooner than later.”
Source: Sean Deveney @ Heavy.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Technical fouls on Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton, but it comes after Booker gets an open 3, and hits it. #Suns up 20. – 12:19 AM
Technical fouls on Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton, but it comes after Booker gets an open 3, and hits it. #Suns up 20. – 12:19 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 94, LAL 67
Paul: 19 Pts, 12 Ast, 5-8 FG
Booker: 19 Pts, 4 Ast, 8-15 FG
Ayton: 8 Pts, 14 Reb
James: 18 Pts, 6-14 FG – 12:00 AM
End of 3Q: PHX 94, LAL 67
Paul: 19 Pts, 12 Ast, 5-8 FG
Booker: 19 Pts, 4 Ast, 8-15 FG
Ayton: 8 Pts, 14 Reb
James: 18 Pts, 6-14 FG – 12:00 AM
Nate Jones @JonesOnTheNBA
Ayton ain’t JTA. And that’s not a knock on JTA. He just had no chance of containing AD. – 11:47 PM
Ayton ain’t JTA. And that’s not a knock on JTA. He just had no chance of containing AD. – 11:47 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 57, LAL 44
Bridges: 12 Pts, 5-6 FG
Paul: 11 Pts, 10 Ast
Ayton: 6 Pts, 7 Reb
James: 11 Pts, 3-4 3P – 11:13 PM
Halftime: PHX 57, LAL 44
Bridges: 12 Pts, 5-6 FG
Paul: 11 Pts, 10 Ast
Ayton: 6 Pts, 7 Reb
James: 11 Pts, 3-4 3P – 11:13 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
That was a pivotal 5-point swing for the Lakers. Booker botched the lob pass to Ayton, who was wide open. The Lakers push the ball the other way and Rondo drills an open corner 3 to cut the Suns’ lead to eight, 49-41, with 3:13 left in the first half. Important stretch coming up. – 11:06 PM
That was a pivotal 5-point swing for the Lakers. Booker botched the lob pass to Ayton, who was wide open. The Lakers push the ball the other way and Rondo drills an open corner 3 to cut the Suns’ lead to eight, 49-41, with 3:13 left in the first half. Important stretch coming up. – 11:06 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: LAL 26, PHX 23
Crowder: 6 Pts, 3-5 FG
Bridges: 5 Pts
Ayton: 2 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Stl
Westbrook: 8 Pts, 3 Ast – 10:39 PM
End of 1Q: LAL 26, PHX 23
Crowder: 6 Pts, 3-5 FG
Bridges: 5 Pts
Ayton: 2 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Stl
Westbrook: 8 Pts, 3 Ast – 10:39 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Frank Vogel says the Lakers are going with the same starting lineup with DeAndre Jordan at the 5 alongside Anthony Davis. Mentioned Deandre Ayton’s size and how “he shot 80% against us in the playoffs” as part of his reasoning – 8:17 PM
Frank Vogel says the Lakers are going with the same starting lineup with DeAndre Jordan at the 5 alongside Anthony Davis. Mentioned Deandre Ayton’s size and how “he shot 80% against us in the playoffs” as part of his reasoning – 8:17 PM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
I wrote about Robert Sarver’s history and Deandre Ayton’s future. ziller.substack.com/p/robert-sarve… – 10:14 AM
I wrote about Robert Sarver’s history and Deandre Ayton’s future. ziller.substack.com/p/robert-sarve… – 10:14 AM