Teams hoping the Phoenix Suns move on from former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton this summer likely weren’t pleased to see coach Frank Vogel’s first comments since being hired on Tuesday.
Despite the Suns inking their starting center to a four-year, $132 million extension just last summer, trade rumors have run rampant ever since. Once the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs, those trade discussions have only gained steam among the basketball community.
But, again, coach Vogel’s comments from his introductory press conference indicate that the 24-year-old center won’t be headed anywhere this offseason.
It wasn’t just one small note about the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Bahamas native that Vogel mentioned. He gushed about the five-year-pro.
Related: Phoenix Suns retain Kevin Young, make him NBA’s highest-paid assistant coach
When talking about his defensive philosophy, Ayton was the first person Vogel named, saying, “It all starts with the big guy.” But he also noted that each of their athletes have to become two-way players, which he relayed Kevin Durant was already excited to get started in his new coach’s system.
Vogel also indicated that the current roster was a large reason why he had so much interest in coming to Phoenix. Basically, Suns fans can expect to see Ayton, Durant, and Devin Booker in the starting lineup at the start of next season. Who will join them remains to be seen.
Related: NBA insider gives surprising update on Chris Paul’s future with Phoenix Suns