Phoenix Suns
Trade deadline candidate: Deandre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns are likely going to be the overwhelming favorites to win the 2023 NBA Championship. That’s no disrespect for the Denver Nuggets, but that’s just a testament to how talented the Suns’ roster is. After acquiring Bradley Beal during the offseason, there are no more excuses for the Suns. There is not a core four in the NBA more talented than Phoenix’s. If they can remain healthy, this is a team that should win the championship.
But if the Suns do end up trading one player this season, there’s a good chance it ends up being Deandre Ayton. There was a belief that he was going to be traded this offseason but that kind of all traded as soon as Beal became available and named the Suns as his preferred landing spot.
However, if the Suns do struggle out of the gate or if they realize they need more depth to achieve the goals they want, Ayton seems like a natural trade deadline candidate.