All Things Ayton

[SunsSince92]

Gambo is now finally saying everything I've been saying over the last month:

* "More likely than not" and "better than good chance" that they keep Ayton
* "Suns like Ayton"
* Would have to be "blown away" by an offer (nothing is happening right now as far as being close to a trade)
* Vogel wants to see what he can get out of Ayton
* Suns want to give Vogel that opportunity

I'm guessing by 'Suns' they mean James Jones as Ishbia has only really seen an under performing Ayton and Vogel's only reference point is the 2021 playoff series against his Lakers, when we all agree Ayton played well. Jones has a vested interest in standing by Ayton as he was the one who selected him with the 1st pick. To quit on him would be admitting that he got it wrong.

I don't think they'd need to be blown away, they just don't want to give him up for a bunch of mediocre role players which is fair.

He was part of the front office, but it was McDonough making the pick.

I stand corrected, I thought it was Jones.

[JeremyG]

[TOO]

Living in the past is cool.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Com'on man...

[O_Gardino]

Anything that gets those guys to shut the f up makes me happy.

But I don't expect more of it in the future.

[JeremyG]

This is what I’ve been saying. You don’t upset your brand new coach by trading away one of the players he accepted the job for and that he wants to coach!

[Split T]

Or it’s what you leak if you want to increase his value. They’ve got to convince Booker and KD to keep Ayton too I think.

[JeremyG]

Vogel would have to be on board with trading him. The center position is very important to Vogel. They would have to get a center in return that Vogel likes at least as well as Ayton (whom he views as an “All-Star level” center), plus additional depth. That’s not happening.

[Split T]

You take Vogel’s wishes into consideration, but it’s not up to him. If it was up to the coach we never would’ve taken Ayton in the first place.

[TOO]

Here's my issue if they keep Ayton, what happens if he still continues to loaf? Further tanking any value left? Then what? KD/Book ain't having that again, no way.

[Drewsprocket]

Here's my issue if they keep Ayton, what happens if he still continues to loaf? Further tanking any value left? Then what? KD/Book ain't having that again, no way.

It’s valid concern. I want to say it’s unlikely provided he comes back in shape and Vogel can prioritize a role and relationship. He will still hang 15 and 10. I think we’re likely to get more of what we have seen, not necessarily worse. From his perspective, he may be on the block but we fired his coach who he had problems with and hired someone who values the Center position. If I knew we had Ayton from 2021 playoffs to rely on, I’d rather Ishbia spent the $ and kept Ayton because we’re winning a championship.

[INFORMER]

I love how Gambo says the Suns would trade him for a good offer for DEPTH...which is the exact thing we've been told on this board that the Suns won't do.

[INFORMER]

Give me a break with this upsetting Vogel stuff. He has just been handed a team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Plus a generous salary. Plus a massive coaching staff. But he is going to be in his feelings because the Suns traded DeAndre Ayton.

[ShelC]

Vogel came here to coach Book and KD, not Deandre Ayton. And Hibbert was pretty skilled, not sure DA is that much more skilled, if at all. It's not like comparing DA to Deandre Jordan.

Gambo's been doing some heavy lifting on the PR side in recent weeks.

[The Bobster]

[INFORMER]

Beautiful, Bobster.

[Wally_West]

One of my favorite Suns memories of all time.

[Wally_West]

Here's my issue if they keep Ayton, what happens if he still continues to loaf? Further tanking any value left? Then what? KD/Book ain't having that again, no way.

This.

[Wally_West]

[JeremyG]

I love how Gambo says the Suns would trade him for a good offer for DEPTH...which is the exact thing we've been told on this board that the Suns won't do.

“A really good offer.” I stand by what I’ve said—they won’t trade him for a few mediocre role players. They would have to be blown away by an offer. Gambo even used those exact words yesterday (it would have to “blow them away”).