Expect Suns to Utilize Deandre Ayton More in 2023

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel says Deandre Ayton will touch the rock more in 2023.

Devin Booker. Kevin Durant. Bradley Beal.

The Phoenix Suns have no shortage of valuable players in the scoring department, something Deandre Ayton has had to adjust to since arriving as the franchise's lone No. 1 pick. 

Ayton dominated at the college ranks but has had to adjust to not being the No. 1 option on offense. With Chris Paul (a player who often facilitated to Ayton directly) there's been questions as to how exactly Ayton would mold himself on this new-look Suns squad full of stars.

New coach Frank Vogel - who has a history of maximizing big men - says Ayton will touch the ball often. 

“I’m off to a great start with him from a relationship standpoint, in terms of understanding that if we want him to defend and rebound at an All-Star level, then we’re going to have to involve him a little more in the offense. That’s just basketball 101. You learn that as a youngster,” Vogel said to Sirius XM NBA Radio.

“You got to give those big guys the ball sometimes. When they get it, then they’ll run through the wall for you on the other end. I think we’re off to a great start with that - he’s going to be a big part of what we do.”

Full clip:

Certainly doesn't sound like 22 is going anywhere next season..
pic.twitter.com/I81hgdAIDr

— CJ (@BridgesDPOY) July 14, 2023

Vogel has been fairly vocal about how he wants to utilize Ayton, diving into the topic at his introductory press conference.

"I think he can be one of the best centers in the league," said Vogel.

"I think he's shown that at times throughout his career, and I know he showed that when we played him in the playoffs a couple years back and he shot about 80% from the field and deterred every drive, every cut, every effort to attack the basket.

"He can be a big time deterrent. There's still areas that he can grow offensively. But I'm intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an all star level player.

"I think it starts with the big fella. I've always had elite rim protectors, and you can get the job done without that, but boy when you got a guy like that in front of the basket deterring everything that comes to the rim. You just get stronger in everything."