Suns Insider Addresses Deandre Ayton Trade Rumors

Gambo has spoken.

Trade rumors are nothing new for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, who has found himself in numerous talks and speculation for the last few years in the Valley.

Heavy is the price of being the No. 1 pick, and fans haven't exactly been pleased with his output thus far.

Yet a new era of Suns basketball is set to begin under Frank Vogel, who has gone on record numerous times since taking the job in Phoenix to say he plans to utilize Ayton.

“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.”

Yet the votes of confidence haven't quite put any trade talk to a stop, and with the complicated scene of a Damian Lillard trade still needing pieces of the puzzle to fit, there's some who believe the Suns will be looped in and Ayton will be on the way out.

Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro addressed those rumors on Twitter/X:

Suns Insider Addresses Deandre Ayton Trade Rumors

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is still considered to be on the trade block

"Let me address some of the Deandre Ayton rumors. The Suns have not been willing to move DA all summer because they think he fits well and there were no offers that would change that. If Nurkic was on the table I would be surprised if the Suns didn't look into it because an argument could be made that is an upgrade for Phx," wrote Gambo. 

"This would be contingent on Dame being moved. Portland has previously shown no interest in DA but that was with Dame staying. If they do not have Dame on the roster they could very well want a young 25-year old to build around Vogel needs a defensive minded Center to build his defense around and Nurkic does fit that mold. This would be contingent on a Lillard trade and I do expect that to happen very very soon."

Ayton is in the second of a four-year, $132 million contract with Phoenix.