Deandre Ayton Jeered in Return to Suns Arena

Former Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton received quite the reaction upon his arrival.

PHOENIX -- Former Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was in the house as the Portland Trail Blazers were in town for preseason action - and though the former No. 1 pick wasn't suiting up due to rest - the team still honored him with a short thank you video. 

It went... about as expected considering the circumstances of his departure:

Here’s how fans reacted when #Suns PA announcer welcomed Deandre Ayton back to Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/PsrdM6wb2D

— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 17, 2023

Ayton arrived to Phoenix in 2018 and failed to live up to the hype surrounding a potential pairing with him and Devin Booker. 

For as good as Ayton was offensively, he failed to display the motor and engine many fans expected out of him in the paint. 

Earlier in the day, Ayton spoke to Suns reporters and wasn't making anything out of his return to the Valley after being traded just weeks ago.

"I don't feel anything, I'm about to play against the Phoenix Suns," said Ayton (h/t Duane Rankin). 

"Definitely some remarkable moments [that] I appreciate that I take with me. Learning how to win, taking that with me as well. Knowing how hard it is to get a tradition going and to get guys going on the same level. That's the type of things I'm taking with me to share to these younger guys."

Ayton also said he appreciated how Phoenix went about their business in trading him after a long summer that again had speculation around his name.

"Them having the power to really send me anywhere they want, they sent me to where I could be valued and be appreciative of things I want in my career. They didn't just throw me anywhere, they threw me where [there was] guys my age ... It could have been worse. I really got blessed to be a part of an organization that really valued me." 

Portland again visits Phoenix on Nov. 21 in the regular season - perhaps Ayton will be rested by then.