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

Why this trade makes sense overall

This trade would also give the Suns and the Hawks future cap flexibility as well. Phoenix would be turning a 3-year deal into a 2-year deal. Meanwhile, Atlanta would be sticking to a 2-year commitment, however, Turner is owed about $2.5 million less than Capela in 2024-25 (which feasibly could help the Hawks with the tax as they work through potential extensions for Okongwu and Dejounte Murray).

This trade should also work money-wise. Due to the structure of Myles Turner’s contract, his salary dips to $21 million which should allow for Atlanta to make the Capela-Turner swap. The Pacers are currently slated to be well under the cap for next season, which should allow them to bring in the roughly $11.5 million extra in salary in the trade into their cap space. Then Phoenix is bringing in less salary, so it should be fine on that end (and off the flexibility as previously discussed).

This is a unique trade where every team involved trades their starting center. That is a rarity and might make you think this trade is odd or pointless. However, I think the deal makes sense for every team involved.

Will this trade happen? Not sure. Will it 100 percent work for all three teams in the long run? Who knows. But I do believe that this trade at least works on paper for everyone involved, and is worth the discussion.