All Things Ayton

[Kryptonic]

They've had to tell him to get in the gym and work, tell him to come to camp in shape, and beg him to play hard in the playoffs. Anyone who thinks that's Monty's fault or his teammates' fault or the FO's fault is just seeing what they want. He is what he is.

He will come out in full force his first 3 games with his new team…. Coast for 4 games, then have a couple of good games then settle back to his mundane 18/10.

[virtual9mm]

They've had to tell him to get in the gym and work, tell him to come to camp in shape, and beg him to play hard in the playoffs. Anyone who thinks that's Monty's fault or his teammates' fault or the FO's fault is just seeing what they want. He is what he is.

He will come out in full force his first 3 games with his new team…. Coast for 4 games, then have a couple of good games then settle back to his mundane 18/10.

I am starting to think that his career will be marked by inconsistency. I do believe that with Monty out of the picture, he would produce closer to 22 and 12. Some days he'll coast, other days he'll be tuned in. I'd like to see what he can do without CP3 and Monty (i.e., a change of scenery) BUT if there's a great offer on the table (e.g., an expiring like Dejounte Murray where ATL doesn't have leverage or another star like Zion or Ja that have had underwhelming seasons), I'd have to think about it carefully.

Just no "Ayton for role players" stuff, please. Someone is going to bite on his potential for all the reasons we've discussed regarding him and Monty, etc. It just takes one team to bite.

[ShelC]

My offseason plan includes "Ayton for role players". We need the depth, just need the right role players. And I'm fine taking the chance another team and its coach will unlock Wilt 2.0. In fact, we might be selling high on him just the same. If he can't get up playing with CP and Book and KD, good luck putting him on a team like Detroit or even Dallas or Atlanta where the players aren't as good/committed and there's more dysfunction than success.

[Split T]

It’s all about who the role players are. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters were Payne, Shamet, and Jock. We need role players that push them back to 7, 8, and 9.

Our team with current players under contract(plus I’m excpecting to move Ayton and CP3)

1. Booker
2. Durant
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Payne
9.
10.
11. Shamet
12. Ish
13.
14.
15.

I would love to bring in 2 of the 3-7 guys with an Ayton trade. Then by waiving and stretching CP3, we can get two more utilizing the MLE/BAE. Then you need to find 1 rotation guy with a vet min deal. Players 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 will all be vet min guys.

[Shabazz]

They've had to tell him to get in the gym and work, tell him to come to camp in shape, and beg him to play hard in the playoffs. Anyone who thinks that's Monty's fault or his teammates' fault or the FO's fault is just seeing what they want. He is what he is.

He will come out in full force his first 3 games with his new team…. Coast for 4 games, then have a couple of good games then settle back to his mundane 18/10.

I am starting to think that his career will be marked by inconsistency. I do believe that with Monty out of the picture, he would produce closer to 22 and 12. Some days he'll coast, other days he'll be tuned in. I'd like to see what he can do without CP3 and Monty (i.e., a change of scenery) BUT if there's a great offer on the table (e.g., an expiring like Dejounte Murray where ATL doesn't have leverage or another star like Zion or Ja that have had underwhelming seasons), I'd have to think about it carefully.

Just no "Ayton for role players" stuff, please. Someone is going to bite on his potential for all the reasons we've discussed regarding him and Monty, etc. It just takes one team to bite.

If this version of Ayton averages 22-12 without a pass-first PG, his team will win 17 games.

[Drewsprocket]

It’s all about who the role players are. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters were Payne, Shamet, and Jock. We need role players that push them back to 7, 8, and 9.

Our team with current players under contract(plus I’m excpecting to move Ayton and CP3)

1. Booker
2. Durant
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Payne
9.
10.
11. Shamet
12. Ish
13.
14.
15.

I would love to bring in 2 of the 3-7 guys with an Ayton trade. Then by waiving and stretching CP3, we can get two more utilizing the MLE/BAE. Then you need to find 1 rotation guy with a vet min deal. Players 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 will all be vet min guys.

CP3 totally getting waived. It would be cool if we could trade him on draft day - what teams are trying to offload salary for an expiring cp3?
I think Ayton should get flipped for the right deal. Sign n trade would be good if we can get a couple starters. We totally need players who finish at the rim.

[Kryptonic]

I wanna see ayton paired with Ben Simmons…. Show him just how green the grass is on the other side. Lol. Go from team mates who care a lot about how hard you play to one that could care less.

[JeremyG]

I wanna see ayton paired with Ben Simmons…. Show him just how green the grass is on the other side. Lol. Go from team mates who care a lot about how hard you play to one that could care less.

Have you ever thought that maybe he would do better if he didn’t have teammates constantly on him telling him to play harder? People say “Even CP3 constantly in his ear has only been able to result in this.” Maybe it’s the opposite? Perhaps it’s been counterproductive.

[JeremyG]

KG setting it straight. 12:00 mark. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k ... 0612886786
At 26:00 kg talks about Ayton not coming to KG’s Big man training workout, thinks Suns won’t sit on Ayton and will move him.

It’s crazy how this narrative started with regard to DA not being a good teammate or a good locker room guy. Jock says it’s hogwash.

[TOO]

I don't think him being a good dude was ever in question. I'm sure he's super fun and nice, he just doesn't wanna win.

[wpmiller42]

I wanna see ayton paired with Ben Simmons…. Show him just how green the grass is on the other side. Lol. Go from team mates who care a lot about how hard you play to one that could care less.

Have you ever thought that maybe he would do better if he didn’t have teammates constantly on him telling him to play harder? People say “Even CP3 constantly in his ear has only been able to result in this.” Maybe it’s the opposite? Perhaps it’s been counterproductive.

I do think there's some truth to this. I think CP3 and Booker, to a lesser extent, ride him pretty hard. This is probably where Monty could have stepped in a bit more and had CP3 back off or prop DA up... but it didn't happen.

That being said, DA is not blameless in this. His effort was really inconsistent.

[JeremyG]

I don't think him being a good dude was ever in question. I'm sure he's super fun and nice, he just doesn't wanna win.

In the podcast I was responding to, KG says that Ayton doesn’t like his teammates or cheer for them when he’s on the bench, etc. (just based off those few minutes in game 3 probably).

[specialsauce]

I wanna see ayton paired with Ben Simmons…. Show him just how green the grass is on the other side. Lol. Go from team mates who care a lot about how hard you play to one that could care less.

DA is going to land in a random city and be forgotten. Hell never get another max deal. His next contract will be for the MLE if he’s still even interested in ball at that point

[specialsauce]

My offseason plan includes "Ayton for role players". We need the depth, just need the right role players. And I'm fine taking the chance another team and its coach will unlock Wilt 2.0. In fact, we might be selling high on him just the same. If he can't get up playing with CP and Book and KD, good luck putting him on a team like Detroit or even Dallas or Atlanta where the players aren't as good/committed and there's more dysfunction than success.

Bingo. I would settle for having his contract off the books and two serviceable rotation guys in return (even if they’re not starter worthy).

He was flat out a negative on the court. We will be better just by not having him out there, and whatever we get in addition is gravy.

He needs to be traded to the highest bidder no matter what

[Mori Chu]

DA is going to land in a random city and be forgotten. Hell never get another max deal. His next contract will be for the MLE if he’s still even interested in ball at that point

I actually think he'd be a good fit on some small-market team where he can average around 20/10 and be more of a focal point in the offense. He'll put up good numbers on a team that doesn't really go anywhere, like an Indiana or a Detroit or someplace like that. And he won't have to worry about fitting in with brighter stars like Book and KD. He'll probably be more effective on a different team that has a different role for him. And that's fine. I wish him well. But for us, having him is not worth the salary slot and opportunity cost.

[specialsauce]

Andre Drummond ladies and gentleman!

[JeremyG]

My offseason plan includes "Ayton for role players". We need the depth, just need the right role players. And I'm fine taking the chance another team and its coach will unlock Wilt 2.0. In fact, we might be selling high on him just the same. If he can't get up playing with CP and Book and KD, good luck putting him on a team like Detroit or even Dallas or Atlanta where the players aren't as good/committed and there's more dysfunction than success.

He was flat out a negative on the court. We will be better just by not having him out there,

That sure came to fruition in game 6.

[Mori Chu]

Andre Drummond ladies and gentleman!

Drummond was way stronger and more aggressive around the basket. And a worse defender. But yeah, in terms of being a dud center who you don't want to max out and build around, yes.

[specialsauce]

My offseason plan includes "Ayton for role players". We need the depth, just need the right role players. And I'm fine taking the chance another team and its coach will unlock Wilt 2.0. In fact, we might be selling high on him just the same. If he can't get up playing with CP and Book and KD, good luck putting him on a team like Detroit or even Dallas or Atlanta where the players aren't as good/committed and there's more dysfunction than success.

He was flat out a negative on the court. We will be better just by not having him out there,

That sure came to fruition in game 6.

It sure did every other game in the playoffs

[SunsRIt]

I keep complaining about Monty having Ayton set up behind the basket on the baseline. Today I found out the most ironic thing about that. It’s called the “dunker” position.