GoodBehavior wrote:I think the rumors are real. There are too many sources (Woj, Jake Fischer, Stein, Bill Simmons), and these rumors have been circulating since last season's tradeline. I don't think Ayton's agent is spreading it, that doesn't seem to be their MO nor Ayton for that matter. Ayton seems to have grown very professionally since his rookie year.
Half of the rumors aren't even pro-Ayton, I would say half of the rumor indicates the Suns don't want Ayton long term. I can't imagine a smart agent would put that kind of info.
I think the Suns' organization do want Ayton. Jones and Sarver have come out in his support. But Monty doesn't. And that's pretty much the end of that. I think the Suns are going to come out of a potential deal as a real loser. I think Monty, more or less, is forcing an Ayton trade and teams know that and will take advantage. I really, really hope I am wrong but that seems to be the general feeling.
I think the Suns would rather not pay the max and would love to get him for less, and have considered looking into trading him for a quality C that makes less, though they didn't pull the trigger and it would have been better to trade him before this summer if they could, but they probably felt since he was playing so well and the team was doing so well they had a better chance with him. I do think Ayton wants to be in Phx though given all of his comments over time, his closeness to teammates, being in Phx for awhile, and I thought him and Monty originally had a decent relationship...kind of maybe a tough love one where he challenged him, but who knows.
I think it's possible had we never traded for Paul, we wouldn't even be thinking of trading Ayton or possibly having extended him, and if that's the case, that should have no relevance given Paul won't be here too much longer and we shouldn't destroy our young core for pieces, barring getting a star but that would take picks and Ayton or Bridges along with filler, so would hurt depth and future and we wouldn't know how the fit was. If it was KD for example, he's obviously very injury prone at this point too, so you're just banking on him being healthy.
I am not sure I even see Brooklyn trading him though unless it's for another star, given he extended for 4 years. It's very rare a player like that gets traded.
. Again no one hates a team as much as the fans of that team
