When Ayton played 34 or more minutes last season:
20.7 ppg
11.5 rpg
Suns record: 9-1
And in the playoffs:
22.5 ppg
10.5 rpg
Suns record: 4-0
I think the context is missing here, which it often is in conversations about Ayton's stats.
When he gets that many minutes, is it that Monty just randomly decides to play him more? Or is it that Ayton's play during those games gives Monty a compelling reason to play him more? Conversely, when doesn't receive those minutes, again, is it Monty randomly saying "I don't want to play Ayton" or does Ayton's play on the court factor into why he isn't getting more minutes?
Free Agency DeMar Derozan for the minimum!
PG: Jordan McLaughlin, Killian Hayes, Kris Dunn, Spencer Dinwiddie, Monte Morris
C: Mo Bamba, Andre Drummond, James Wiseman, Goga Bitadze, Jay Huff
If we had to give up Ayton and Bridges why would KD even want to still come here? That makes us worse than last season, especially when you factor in CP3’s age. If we are the only team on his list, the Nets will accommodate him.
And from the Suns side of things, CP3 and KD are only going to decline each year, while Ayton and Bridges are going to improve each year.
I will take the next two years of KD's career over the next 2 years of ANYONE's career on this current team. The comparison seems so silly.
We weren't talking about "anyone." We were talking about both Bridges and Ayton. You would take the next 2 years of KD over the next 2 years of both Bridges and Ayton?
Do you know who Kevin Durant is? I mean what are we doing here?
Yeah, he's the guy who shot 38.6% in the playoffs this year.
I nailed it 11 months ago. Just wish I hadn’t fallen for the hype in February.
"I'm a Deandre Ayton guy."--Al McCoy, September 21, 2022.