Could the Chicago Bulls land Deandre Ayton in a trade?

It's clear the Chicago Bulls need to shake things up with a trade, and acquiring Ayton might be the answer.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For a team that is paying several players a lot of money, mediocre results are unacceptable. However, that is the place the Chicago Bulls find themselves in this season. 

With a record of 19-23, an active payroll of $148,557,260 is getting harder to sustain with diminishing returns. So what will the Bulls do at the trade deadline? Perhaps swapping for a young center with loads of upside can be the answer.

Ayton's troubles with the Suns

Deandre Ayton, the 7'1" center out of Arizona, has been a tantalizing prospect ever since he was selected first overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has averaged a double-double for his career and is one of the reasons for the Suns' rise in the Western Conference, especially in 2021 when Phoenix made it to the NBA Finals but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. 

However, his tenure with the Suns has not been without its fair share of controversy.

Last season, he helped the Suns capture the best record in the Western Conference. Still, the Suns exited the playoffs in the second round, stumbling to the Dallas Mavericks in seven games. Ayton was a non-factor in the second half of Game 7 as he got benched after getting into a spat with head coach Monty Willams.

In the offseason, Ayton signed an offer sheet worth $133 million to play for the Indiana Pacers. The Suns, though, matched that offer, which is significantly less than the five-year, $179.6 million deal he was eligible for with Phoenix.

How can the Bulls get Ayton?

With all that in mind, can the Bulls possibly pry Ayton away from the Suns? Although a report stated that they aren't keen on making major changes, it's become increasingly clear that they could use an infusion of talent in the frontcourt. And with Nikola Vucevic in the last year of his contract with no extension offer in sight, the Bulls could be a prime landing spot for Ayton.

The Bulls reportedly have other young pieces to offer, including Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry. The Suns might demand more in return for the 24-year-old center. Still, if the Bulls are willing to part with some of their assets, they could be in the driver's seat for Ayton.

It remains to be seen if the Bulls will pull the trigger on a deal like this at the trade deadline. However, one thing is clear - if they manage to acquire Ayton in exchange for expiring contracts and young pieces, it could be a move that changes their fortunes for the better. Only time will tell if this deal comes to fruition, but it's definitely one to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches.