NBA Insider Proposes Mavericks as Deandre Ayton 'Fresh Start' Trade Destination

With a gaping hole at the center position for the Mavericks, one rumored target that has made its rounds is Suns big man Deandre Ayton.

Though the Phoenix Suns alive and well for now, fighting for their playoff lives in the second-round against the Denver Nuggets, Deandre Ayton is already being thrown into mock trades. This time around, the proposed trade involved the Dallas Mavericks. 

On Wednesday's episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast", The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor mentioned the Mavericks as a potential suitor for Suns big man if he were to hit the trade market this summer.

"How about Dallas," O'Connor proposed as a destination for Ayton. "He needs somebody that can continue to push him and motivate him. Maybe a Luka [Doncic] in Dallas."

The Ayton-to-Dallas rumor has been floated out there before as the Mavericks have reportedly always had interest in the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Last month, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that the Mavs feel that Ayton is an "extremely talented young big man who has a lot of untapped potential" when speaking on a potential sign-and-trade with Phoenix involving Kyrie Irving.

"A fresh start could be good for (Ayton)," O'Connor said. "...I think he needs a fresh start outside of Phoenix. I just don't know where that is, what team I'd feel super comfortable with considering everything he said pre-career and everything we've seen since he signed that deal."

And though Ayton has shown flashes of being an extremely talented player, earning him a four-year, $133 million dollar max extension last summer, the amount of untapped potential remains hidden for now. As O'Connor referenced, the partnership between Ayton and the Suns seems to have run its course, and both sides may welcome a break up ... but at what cost? 

With Suns point guard Chris Paul just turning 38-years old and seemingly always nursing an injury, Phoenix could have interest in acquiring Irving and reuniting him with Kevin Durant. After all, there were rumors that Phoenix tried to make that happen before Irving was ultimately dealt to the Mavs. But if this current version of Ayton is what the Mavs would be getting, it doesn't make much sense to sign-and-trade Irving, who is Dallas' top priority this summer.

Now, if Ayton's value has plummeted far enough to give the Mavs a chance to add him alongside both Doncic and Irving, that might be a different story. Ayton's contract would still be a tough pill to swallow, but at least Dallas would be taking a flier on the Phoenix big man while retaining its superstar backcourt duo in that particular situation.

In the regular season, Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 58.9 percent from the field in 67 games. In 10 postseason games, he's averaging 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent from the field. Ayton is set to miss Thursday's win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Nuggets due to a rib injury.

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