NBA Trade Rumors: 3-team Deandre Ayton trade that would shake up NBA

NBA Trade Rumors: A 3-team Deandre Ayton trade that would shake up league

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball as Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns defends at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Phoenix Suns Deandre Ayton (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Indiana Pacers finally get Deandre Ayton

For the Indiana Pacers, they get a player who they liked last year in free agency enough to sign to a large offer sheet before Phoenix matched. Ayton also likely aligns slightly better with the timeline of their young core headlined by Tyrese Haliburton (22 years old) and Bennedict Mathurin (20). The core also includes the likes of Aaron Nesmith (23), Andrew Nembhard (23), Jalen Smith (22), and Isaiah Jackson (21). Plus you can add in whoever Indiana drafts at No. 7 overall in this year’s draft to that young core.

The Pacers obviously liked Ayton enough last year to extend him the offer sheet. While they might want to try and bring in Ayton to potentially pair with Turner, I do believe that this trade makes sense with pairing Ayton with their young and promising backcourt (even if it means losing Turner).

With Ayton and their pick at No. 7, the Pacers would have one of the best young cores in the NBA. While it might be easy to only view the negatives on Ayton, he still brings a lot of positives and skill to the table. For instance, Ayton would give the Pacers an enticing pick-and-role partner to pair with Haliburton long-term.

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