Even if the Suns have extenuating circumstances in view of their eventful season between the Sarver affair, a buyout, the arrival of an injured Kevin Durant, then the umpteenth injury to Chris Paul, this season is another failure. Like last year, the team leaves the scene with a big spanking, and there should be a change this summer in Arizona.
According to ESPN, two major players should thus be sacrificed, and they are Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. Fragile and aging, the All-Star point guard has a partially guaranteed contract year, and the Suns have until June 28 to decide whether or not to keep him for the upcoming season. If Matt Ishbia decides to part with it, it will still cost him $15 million! He can also activate this year of contract, and transfer it later, but the salary of CP3 (30.8 million dollars) and his age will necessarily be obstacles to any transaction. As was the case this season for the Lakers with Russell Westbrook.
A “new start” for Ayton?
As for Ayton, his series against the Nuggets confirmed that he was far from the best in his position. Injured in the ribs, he did not even play Game 6, and many wonder if we will see him again in the Suns jersey. Especially since he had remained in Phoenix in spite of himself since he had signed up with the Pacers, before the Suns aligned themselves with the offer to keep him.
According ESPNAyton would be motivated by “ a new start “and the Suns will explore the transfer market” aggressively“. A priori, the Indiana track has closed since the franchise has extended Myles Turner. But the rating of the former number 1 in the Draft remains correct, and ESPN ensures that several teams should position themselves.
Given the player’s salary ($ 32.5 million), the leaders should be able to get their hands on two or three elements, and thus fill the gaps caused by the massive transfer of Kevin Durant. Even if it will be very difficult to find players of the quality or potential of Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, transferred to the Nets in February.
| Deandre Ayton | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 71 | 31 | 58.5 | 0.0 | 74.6 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 16.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 38 | 33 | 54.6 | 23.1 | 75.3 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 11.5 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 18.2 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 69 | 31 | 62.6 | 20.0 | 76.9 | 3.3 | 7.2 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 14.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 58 | 30 | 63.4 | 36.8 | 74.6 | 2.6 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 | PHX | 67 | 30 | 58.9 | 29.2 | 76.0 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 18.0 |
| Total | 303 | 31 | 59.7 | 26.3 | 75.5 | 3.0 | 7.4 | 10.4 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 16.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
