Former Phoenix Suns Executive Says Deandre Ayton's Game Relies on Consistency, Effort

Former Phoenix Suns executive Amin Elhassan recently shared that Deandre Ayton being the Suns' second option is challenging because it guards initiating the offense.

In Friday night's loss against the Toronto Raptors, Suns' center Deandre Ayton post a stat line of four points, seven rebounds, and three assists. 

After the game, Ayton spoke about tying his season low with four points. 

"I don't know. Just different coverages. I think I saw two or three people on me the whole night. I was reading the game to see what I could do," said Ayton, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

Head coach Monty Williams added, "He just didn't finish around the basket. Didn't play with the requisite force that it takes to play against a team like that. You have a presence down low, it helps you get more 3s. Rarely does he shoot 2-for-10."

Inside the Suns recently spoke to former Suns' executive Amin Elhassan and asked if he could see Ayton becoming the Suns' second scoring option. 

"It's tough because, obviously, their offense is guard-predicated, even with CP [Chris Paul] out you see Cameron Payne initiating a lot of the offense. Obviously [Devin] Booker is doing what he does, so for Deandre Ayton a lot of his touches, shots, whatever are all out of the pick and roll and out of dunking running down the court. But we all know he's a very capable player," said Elhassan.

"He's got great touch, he's got good hands, he's got good footwork and he's very mobile. But he's large. He knows how to use his size and for him it's more about his consistency and effort night and night out."

This season, Ayton is averaging 17.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game. 

Phoenix's next matchup will be with the New York Knicks on Jan. 2 at Madison Square Garden.