06-25-2023, 11:53 AM
(06-25-2023, 11:37 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I don't think any trade for Ayton would be a progress stopper for Lively. We need a starting center. I can very easily see a reality where Holmes isn't working, Lively isn't ready, and we're right back to starting Powell 25 mins a night.
But despite that I don't think PHX trades Ayton now. No one is offering anything of value and they aren't too desperate. Maybe if the season starts and their lack of depth is killing them they'd get more motivated but I can't see it now.
Holmes, Luka and Kyrie starting doesn't seem like that would work defensively. Even if Lively picks up things quickly, he'll have the learning curves of the NBA to figure out so he isn't always in foul trouble. I really think we'll see Powell or Maxi starting with the rest of the group getting heft minutes as well. And that's the optimistic scenario where Holmes rounds back into form and Lively is a day one contributor.
I think Phoenix would trade Ayton for pennies, nickels, or quarters on the dollar is you could give them three contributors. Maybe they'd consider some combination of THJ, Maxi, Bullock, McGee and Holmes to give them depth. Or maybe throw in a Wood S&T to the mix. Trade machines are saying they can take back $40.4M.
I don't really want any part of Ayton though. Maybe if he were still on his rookie contract but his skillset seems a little outdated for the NBA as you can take him off the floor with matchups and that's not want I want to be spending $30+ on per year.