Deandre Ayton Discussion: AD's Dream Partner

He had an opportunity to make a major case for his future FA value

In my opinion, he really wasted the opportunity. He's mid.

 

think i already posted this a while back, but while i agree that he's maybe underpaid at his current salary, if he's still on the roster opening day, it means FA/trade plans A-F failed.

 

for what we paid him I agree, but not for what he earned overall last year since he had the buyout added to it. I'm sure it takes time in an athlete's mind to adjust their value in their eyes/mind.

 

I guess he ran from the platform.

 

This is making the rounds

But there's no source on it and Helin basically just runs the aggregation page for NBC (runs it well, I'll add).

So I think that's still premature

 

I know I’m in the minority, but I hope he’s back. He was GREAT in the Houston series and gave Sengun fits. He got tag teamed in the OKC series by Chet and Hartenstein, and to be frank Lebron and especially Jaxson didn’t give him much cover either. I think he done himself no favors with the media by being so surly in postgame interviews as well. These same media members have a voice that reaches thousands that can flip a narrative and have you run out of town. For his price he’s still a bargain. I would like to add a big like Robert Williams as insurance though.

 

i'm not sure if the extra cap space would help us much, and having him under contract strengthens our position in trade negotiations for center. so i'm actually pretty glad it looks like he's picking up the option.

i still think the plan is to trade him after he's picked it up, though. guessing he's aware of that, and that his agent thinks the FA market wasn't out there for him.

 

If he in fact pick(ed/s) it up, i think it all but guarantees he's traded.

He's not the center Luka wants, Luka made that abundantly clear. Ayton doesn't see himself as a backup and can't stay engaged enough to be a backup. The rotation isn't good enough and his spot is the one that needs the upgrade (and a wing, but this is the one Luka is focused on).

Use that $8m to match salaries for what we need and maybe he can be a stop gap on one of those teams.

 

That's what I'm thinking.

 

Obviously would be better if we got Duren/Kessler, but if Ayton stays and pick one of either Rob Williams III or Robinson, and rotate them, I don't think that's a bad option.

 

Something a little more concrete on DA. Fischer on the opt in

 

That's great for us. He becomes a reasonable solution this year, and also a tradeable asset on an expiring deal. I'm not expecting a fire to be suddenly lit under him, as I don't think he's wired that way. He is who he is, and he's decent.

 

I'd guess any potential trades are waiting on his decision, whichever direction he goes.

 

I hope he feels he found a home, and we can find a role for him, keep him happy, and squeeze as much out of the "lion" as we can. For that amount, he's clearly a value.

 

Rob finally gave AD a center to play with.

 

I was always Team DA. Never thought he was as bad as everyone else did. Good luck man.