All Things Ayton

[Split T]

Gambo not shooting it down:

https://x.com/gambo987/status/170497878 ... WN8xiXZexA

[Split T]

Also apparently said he expects Dame trade in next 24 hours…methinks something might happen

[TOO]

Jeremy gonna shit himself. Also, Gambo doing some real spinning there, Nurkic is a defensive C? Wtf, it's a cost cutting move, and Nurk wouldn't demand shots, it's nothing more than that if it comes to pass imo.

[Split T]

If Gambo is spinning it makes me think it’s happening. Nurk can defend the post(at least at one point he could), but he is chopped liver defending up high. He can’t play against the Curry’s of the world.

I do think he makes more sense offensively(he’s a big downgrade defensively). He’s a better shooter and passer. He can make the bunnies Ayton makes as well.

The biggest question is health. He can’t stay healthy. For that reason I need to see what else is coming. Salary wise something else has to come I think. I’ll play around with the trade machine to see just how much.

[JeremyG]

I was afraid the Bahamas performance would reignite trade rumors. But this is ridiculous. TOO nailed it--if this nonsense were to happen it would be a cost-cutting Sarver-like move by Ishbia--not a basketball move.

I don't believe it will happen. The Suns are listening to offers, as they always do, but they are not shopping him and they are not going to just give him away.

[Shabazz]

WTF is gambo talking about? Nurk a defensive minded center?

[Split T]

We can technically do the trade and just bring back Nurkic.

Lowry, Ayton, Jovic, Jacques, and Martin to Portland
Lillard to Miami
Nurkic to Phoenix

It works salary wise.

Would drop is 400k under the 1st apron and 10.8 million under the 2nd apron.

[JeremyG]

We can technically do the trade and just bring back Nurkic.

Lowry, Ayton, Jovic, Jacques, and Martin to Portland
Lillard to Miami
Nurkic to Phoenix

It works salary wise.

Would drop is 400k under the 1st apron and 10.8 million under the 2nd apron.

The only thing that scares me is the Payne move. I was not expecting that from Ishbia. The only way Ayton is getting traded is if there's a salary-slashing mandate from Ishbia. The only question would be: why? If we're actually trying to win a title, it's asinine. It's Sarver 2.0.

[Split T]

Or if the relationship is just broken. It’s possible we were always gonna trade him and we pretended otherwise when the offers sucked.

I do think straight up for Nurkic would be bad. I don’t feel the same way about the Payne deal though. They replaced him with Goodwin. Saving 20 million to get rid of a 3rd string pg makes sense. It’s not anything like Sarver…

[Shabazz]

We can technically do the trade and just bring back Nurkic.

Lowry, Ayton, Jovic, Jacques, and Martin to Portland
Lillard to Miami
Nurkic to Phoenix

It works salary wise.

Would drop is 400k under the 1st apron and 10.8 million under the 2nd apron.

The only thing that scares me is the Payne move. I was not expecting that from Ishbia. The only way Ayton is getting traded is if there's a salary-slashing mandate from Ishbia. The only question would be: why? If we're actually trying to win a title, it's asinine. It's Sarver 2.0.

I mostly agree, but there are tactical benefits to getting below the second apron. The management team does have to consider this team's future as well.

But for sure, we are at the point where we should be pushing our chips in to the middle of the table. Pressure is a privilege, as your buddy likes to say.

[JeremyG]

Or if the relationship is just broken. It’s possible we were always gonna trade him and we pretended otherwise when the offers sucked.

Nah. Vogel was serious about wanting him. If DA doesn't care and is requesting a trade, then yeah that could explain things now. I would blame it on the fanbase hating on him at that point.

For example:



EDIT: Just to clarify, I don't believe that's what is happening. He seemed good with being back with the Suns and Eric Gordon this season.

[Split T]

Gambo backtracks a bit on the defensive Nurkic talk

[Shabazz]

This is like when he was trying to get us excited about Cedi Osman.

[JeremyG]

You know it's bad when even the biggest Hayters out there are saying how terrible it would be to trade him for Nurkic.

[Drewsprocket]

Gambo backtracks a bit on the defensive Nurkic talk

I was about to dump on this rumor until I remembered that Eubanks can totally be a solid back up to Nurkic in case of injury. I’d pull it if the Suns can get a promising young player or 1st rounders.

Edit: Nurk gets about same amount of screen assists as Ayton in less time.

[Split T]

For the record, I think it would be bad because of the health. If I knew Nurk would stay healthy I think the value is similar. Ayton has the bigger upside for sure, but Nurk is a better offensive fit and is cheaper. The injury issues flip it to bad imo and I’d need something else coming. Which I’m sure something else would. Even Gambo said as much.

[TOO]

My main issues with Nurkic are just that's slow as balls and isn't a good defender. Now he does offer some bulk in that he can use his size more effectively than Ayton, he's just as good a rebounder, and he's a better passer. It shortens the contract terms by a year or 2 for half the price, so I get why, just not getting why now? Camp starts in what, 2 weeks? Seems like odd timing.

[JeremyG]

If the Suns want to play at a faster pace, Nurkic certainly isn't the answer.

[Split T]

I think you could also just start Eubanks…play Nurkic against 2nd units that can’t exploit him as well

[TOO]

There also has to be something else to even make the trade work.