On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns shocked the NBA landscape by adding yet another elite talent to their roster, which was already strong enough to snag the fourth seed in the Western Conference last season. According to Shams Charania, ever since, teams around the NBA have increased their efforts to trade for Suns center Deandre Ayton, who has long been the subject of trade rumors.
Charania notes that while Ayton may be on the roster right now, it’s possible the former No. 1 overall pick won’t be by the end of the offseason. What’s clear is that the Suns’ main core consists of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and the recently acquired Beal. The rest appears to be up for grabs.
This level of uncertainty comes not long after newly hired head coach Frank Vogel hyped up Ayton’s defensive ability as a key component of his defensive scheme next season. Without the 6-foot-11 center in the picture, who’s the team’s top defender? Even as is, the Suns have several questions to answer about the team’s current roster structure.
Yet, the Suns also have an extremely high salary cap sheet, not just for the upcoming season but for years to come, with their top four players combining for a whopping $162 million in 2023-24 alone. Remember, there are still 11 other roster spots to fill.
While the Suns likely envision a scenario where they can begin the season with their core four in place, it’s possible another team drops in with an offer too good to refuse. Especially considering the Suns still have so many smaller needs to address as they mold a new roster around their All-Star Big 3.
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