Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
HoopsHype presents the five players who have appeared most often in trade rumors over the week, including LeBron James and Chris Paul.
It’s been a busy week for NBA trade rumors featuring some of the biggest names the NBA has to offer, so we decided to return with one more pre-offseason edition of our trade rumors rankings series, in which we rank the five players who have appeared most often over the previous week on our trade rumors page.
This week’s list has multiple future Hall-of-Famers on it, two former No. 1 overall picks. All five players on it would qualify as blockbuster moves if they were to be traded.
Here is why some of these options do (and do not!) make sense.
The uncomfortable truth: Chris Paul may be over as a serviceable guard who can provide positive value on the court for a contender.
After he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Paul helped turn the organization into one of the best teams in the league. But he is averaging a career-low 13.9 points per game and he has struggled to stay healthy enough to remain on the floor for prolonged periods.
As such, according to league insider Marc Stein, the “word is” that this has caused the Suns to “start assessing” what their future looks like once he is no longer their point guard.
With that in mind, here are seven of the potential trade targets that Phoenix may pursue at the deadline as they consider long-term replacements for CP3.
What a boatload of cash.
After being unceremoniously let go as Phoenix Suns coach, it seemed like only a matter of time before [autotag]Monty Williams[/autotag] landed on his feet. He’s landed and then some. Sources have informed Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the Notre Dame alumnus is agreeing to a six-year, $78 million contract to coach the Detroit Pistons. It’s the largest deal ever for an NBA coach.
During this year’s playoffs, Williams coached a team with two future Hall of Famers in Kevin Durant and Chris Paul as well as one of the NBA’s best young stars in Deandre Ayton. Now, he’ll head to the Motor City to lead a team with nowhere to go but up. The Pistons finished with the NBA’s worst record in 2022-23 but didn’t even receive a top-four pick in the draft lottery.
While Williams has his work cut out for him, he does have a few building blocks. Among them are 2021 top overall pick Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, son of Irish women’s coach [autotag]Niele Ivey[/autotag]. Here’s hoping he gets the Pistons back to respectability before too long. The pressure certainly is on with all the money he’s about to make.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89
The Big Ticket thinks Ayton’s performance in the second round was a big flop.
Why was Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton outplayed by Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference semifinals series between those two teams? For former Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man Kevin Garnett, the failure of Ayton to stand up to the Joker and his Nuggets is a considerable failure.
In a recent episode of the eponymous Showtime Basketball podcast “KG Certified,” Garnett cited Ayton’s lack of engagement and focus during games, as well as his tendency to get disconnected from the action as a few examples he thinks played a role.
Check out the link embedded below to hear why The Big Ticket thinks Ayton’s performance in the second round was a big flop along with guest Matt Barnes filling in for Paul Pierce to get up to speed on some of the postseason action going down out west.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
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The Chicago Bulls are reportedly showing an interest in Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton, whose name has been mentioned in trade rumors.
Just a few seasons into their new-look experiment, the Chicago Bulls might look to tear things down. They failed to make the playoffs this year, and though injuries have certainly gotten in the way, it’s looking like the current core isn’t good enough to deliver a championship to the city.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns were eliminated in Round 2 for the second-straight year and could also be looking to shake things up this summer, especially now that they have parted ways with head coach Monty Williams. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, the Bulls could potentially be interested in a deal for big man Deandre Ayton as both teams look to reshape their roster.
Ayton signed an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers last summer after a rocky year with the Suns. However, Phoenix matched the contract and brought him back on board. But just one season later, it seems more likely than ever that the two sides will split.
One anonymous NBA GM told Deveney that the Suns will almost definitely explore trade options involving Ayton.
“It’s almost certain they will look into trading him. I think they feel like they can do all right with a mishmash of decent centers and changing their focus on getting better talent around those two star guys,” said the GM. “That’s been true for the past couple of years, really. Deandre has butted heads with Monty (Williams). But he can be a great player, still, it just needs to be somewhere else.”
Ayton put up solid numbers this past season, appearing in 67 games for the Suns and playing 30.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 58.9 percent shooting from the field. Deveney noted Chicago’s potential interest in tandem with their possible desire to switch things up.
As things stand, the Bulls already have a starting center in Nikola Vucevic. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and according to Deveney, they aren’t too keen on bringing him back into the fold on a long-term deal.
“But Vucevic is 32 and the Bulls do not want to make a long-term commitment,” Deveney wrote. “That’s easier to do with a player Ayton’s age. Chicago and Phoenix potentially could do a sign-and-trade for Vucevic, but the Suns are not prioritizing a big expenditure on a center if they move Ayton, sources told Heavy Sports.”
So, if the Bulls decide to break things up and go in a younger direction, targeting Ayton in a deal could be a great way to reset the roster, especially if they don’t wish to commit to Vucevic.
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What do you think about the potential move?
The NBA offseason is quickly approaching, which means teams will begin to pivot into exploring roster moves they could make prior to the 2023-24 regular season.
With this in mind, Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley created a wish list for all 30 NBA teams to identify their dream trade target. He noted he avoided using the same player multiple times and that all candidates are within the realm of possibility.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Buckley decided their dream trade target this offseason should be Deandre Ayton. The Phoenix Suns center is in the midst of a second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
“If the Oklahoma City Thunder have been awaiting a sign that this team is ready to accelerate, this season sure felt like one adorned with flashing lights. They were more than fun, more than encouraging, more than intriguing — they were legitimately good. …
Deandre Ayton could be a frontcourt fixture for years to come. The Phoenix Suns don’t seem entirely committed to him — they forced him to find an offer sheet elsewhere last summer — and might view an Ayton deal as an opportunity to better balance their roster around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Ayton, meanwhile, could stabilize OKC’s center spot and quite possibly increase his output in an offense that needs more scoring threats to lighten Gilgeous-Alexander’s load.”
The 24-year-old will have three years and $102.1 million remaining on his current deal that he signed this past offseason. In 67 games with the Suns this season, he averaged 18 points on 58.9% shooting, 10 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
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The Lakers will be facing a very depleted Suns squad on Friday.
The Los Angeles Lakers have two games left in their regular-season schedule, and both are must-win games if they want to keep alive their hopes of finishing sixth in the Western Conference and skipping the play-in tournament.
They will face the Phoenix Suns at home on Friday night, and at first glance, it may seem like a very difficult contest, given the Suns’ star-studded starting lineup and their seven-game winning streak.
However, L.A. will be getting a very big break.
With the fourth seed wrapped up, Phoenix decided to sit its four best players: Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton (h/t Lakers Daily).
Durant (ankle management), Booker (rest), Paul (rest), Ayton (rest) have all been officially ruled out for Suns vs. Lakers with Phoenix clinching No. 4 seed on Thursday night. https://t.co/C66J64bnq7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2023
For the Lakers, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable, as is guard Dennis Schroder, who is reportedly dealing with neck spasms.
Injury update: Dennis Schröder is questionable for tonight's game against Phoenix due to neck spasms.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 8, 2023
If L.A. wins on Friday and again on Sunday versus the Utah Jazz, it would give itself a pathway to still finish sixth in the West, despite a slew of close losses and key injuries.
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Chet Holmgren thinks that you are (*Taylor Swift voice*) the problem!
If you play NBA 2K23, it’s going to be really hard to not want to play as the Phoenix Suns. After all, they just got Kevin Durant!
Next time you power on your console and turn on NBA 2K23, you are going to be tempted. You will probably notice the starting lineup for Phoenix with KD and Chris Paul and Devin Booker. You may have even gotten a little bit excited just reading that.
Whenever a new superteam is assembled, it is always fun to give them a test run in the video game before they take the floor. It’s fine if you want to give it a try!
Just know that if you do this, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren thinks that you are (*Taylor Swift voice*) “the problem” now:
If you start using the suns on 2k now ur the problem
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) February 9, 2023
Holmgren, of course, makes a fair point. When healthy, the Suns are probably the most stacked team in this game.
You’ve got an amazing floor general in CP3, you’ve got two of the easiest jump shots with Booker and Durant, and you’ve got a paint beast with Ayton.
I’d be a little underwhelmed by their bench depth, but after this trade, Phoenix is understandably going to be a popular choice for those who play NBA 2K.
But for those who make that choice: It’s you, hi, you’re the problem, it’s you.
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Scottie Barnes looked like the least scared person on the planet.
Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton was not happy with Scottie Barnes.
Barnes, the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, fouled the former No. 1 pick on a field goal attempt near the basket during the third quarter of Toronto’s game against Phoenix on Monday evening.
Ayton, who was blocked by the Toronto forward early in the first quarter of the match, took exception to the physicality and got in Barnes’ face. Under normal circumstances, tempers likely would have flared and the two parties may have needed separation.
Barnes, however, looked like he was the least scared person on the planet:
After the game, Ayton was asked about the altercation and said he loved it.
The big man said that Barnes “poked the bear” and wished that would happen to him during every game that he plays.
"I don't know. I love it. You turn me up. You poke the bear. I wish it would get poked every game.."
A smiling Deandre Ayton on him and #Raptors Scottie Barnes having words in 2nd half.
Ayton also took out frustrations on a chair.
"Hoping next game it can forgive me." #Suns pic.twitter.com/RKKpmYsvIJ
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 31, 2023
Barnes, who played an exceptional game on the defensive side of the floor, walked away from this scuffle looking entirely unafraid of the smoke.
His reaction immediately turned into a meme once fans saw what happened:
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All parents can relate to this!
Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton has missed each of the last three games due to a non-COVID illness.
Even though the Suns were recently in the midst of a rough stretch, they have won each of their last four games. Ayton told reporters that he is now healthy enough to return to the court when the Suns play the Mavericks on Thursday evening.
Ayton also clarified that he wasn’t able to play for the last few games due to an illness, which included headaches and trouble finding his breath, that he caught from his two-year-old son Deandre Ayton Jr.
“I caught it from my baby boy. Sorry to throw you under the bus, junior.”
Deandre Ayton said when he was trying to get back on the court and find his breath, he felt like he was in Denver. Was also dealing with headaches, but was thankful it wasn’t COVID or the flu: pic.twitter.com/wkeq6I5HDc
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 26, 2023
Ayton added that he tested negative for both COVID-19 and the flu.
He explained that he felt like he was dealing with the types of issues caused when he experiences the increased elevation whenever he is in Denver.
While he feels bad to put all of the blame on his two-year-old child, the big man said that he plans to take vitamins as he continues his recovery from his recent illness.
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