How Suns Improved Roster After Deandre Ayton Trade

The Phoenix Suns added a physical rim-protector who fits their needs moving forward.

There's a new big-manin the Valley of the Sun. 

After news broke on the trade involving C Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Phoenix Suns received four players as part of a three-team deal. From Portland, the Suns picked up C Jusuf Nurkić, a 29-year-old Bosnian who entering 11th year in the NBA. 

Gaining the 7-footer puts the Suns in a position they haven't been in since they drafted Ayton with the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Ayton, along with G Devin Booker, was the last remaining player from the Suns' 2021 NBA Finals team. 

Nurkić is a bruising big-man who utilizes his size and weight to overwhelm opposing centers in the league. Although Nurkić is not as offensively diverse as Ayton was, his effectiveness will come via rebounding opportunities and screen-setting. 

Talking with league sources before and since the trade, Jusuf Nurkic is viewed as a team guy who can help Phoenix Suns with his passing.

Buys into his role. Loved by teammates.

Fit is key here. No longer having Deandre Ayton's max contact huge part to this trade. #Suns

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 27, 2023

Nurkić averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists across his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets and Trail Blazers. Nurkić's role varied but his emergence since the 2016-17 season has been nothing short of a nightly starter.

On the defensive end, Nurkić offers a premier shot-blocking threat. His willingness to challenge drive toward the rim could see Nurkić in some foul trouble, but the payout for physicality down low will be a nice change of pace for a Suns team that couldn't squeeze that from Ayton.

A more defensively-minded center will fit in better with a new system coming to Phoenix lead head coach Frank Vogel. 

It was no secret that the relationship between Ayton and the Suns turned sour. 

For years, speculation involving Ayton headlined Suns trade deadline and offseason talks. Apparently it was a three-team deal that the Suns were seeking in order for the deal to be made, and Portland became the destination for a still-young Ayton with room to grow.

Hopefully a clean slate is what Ayton needs to perform up to his capabilities. With G Scooter Henderson and G Shaedon Sharpe, Ayton should be back in action in a similar role he had in Phoenix, helping the two of them grow. 

Over the years, Suns and Ayton could go no longer due to strained relationship and effort issues. 

Nurkić offers a fresh start at center for the Suns and a chance to change the mentality of the fifth position for the Suns. Just as new paint was added to Footprint Arena, a new big man will follow suit for a fresh start in Phoenix.

As for the remaining assets gained in the trade, depth seemed to be the priority. 

F Nassir Little, G Grayson Allen and F Keon Johnson are also coming to Phoenix. Injury prone and unproven, Little and Johnson are two more forwards that are athletic and young. Both players are under 24 years old. 

Allen will be a fun addition for Vogel. Allen, known for stubborn defense and shooting capabilities, could fit a high-intensity bench squad especially paired with F Yuta Watanabe. Allen's spot-up shooting on 3-point attempts will be yet another outside weapon at Phoenix's disposal.