Raptors: Should Toronto check in on a Deandre Ayton trade?

The Toronto Raptors started the season off with some mixed results, as their swarming defense has often been let down due to an offense that looks a tad inconsistent right now. Could things be changed around by a midseason trade?

It is early yet in the season, so stressing about flaws and negative trends is unnecessary. However, management should be tracking it and figuring out ways to upgrade the roster at every turn.

Already several unique drama scenarios are playing out between players and management across the league that the Raptors could take advantage of to address concerns on their roster. One such case involves that of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, who found his name in the rumor mill.

The Suns and Ayton failed to come to terms on a contract extension for the center they drafted first overall in 2018 out of Arizona. The big man voiced his frustrations last Tuesday.

"“I love Phoenix, but I’m really disappointed we haven’t really gotten a deal done yet. We were two wins away from winning a championship and I just really want to be respected, to be honest. To be respected like my peers are being respected by their teams.”"

In a summer in which he watched multiple teammates get a new contract, including a four-year $120 million deal for 36-year-old Chris Paul, it was shocking Ayton didn’t get his.

It’s not clear why Phoenix doesn’t see him as worthy of a max-deal at five years $172 million. It can’t be his play, as a glance of the stat sheet reveals Ayton has achieved a double-double for his career at 15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

A trade is unlikely considering that Ayton and the Suns are title contenders, but if they can get an equal return package for him without having to give him a max, he could become available. Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors need to at least see what his market value is.

Will the Toronto Raptors pursue Deandre Ayton?

Ayton, if he’s available for a trade, would provide Toronto with many key attributes the roster is currently lacking. At age 23, he could be the Raptors’ center for the foreseeable future. He is a legitimate elite rebounder and can score in and around the paint.

Ayton would provide guards on the Raptors with a true target to finish rolling out of pick and roll plays. Ayton has also averaged 1.2 blocks per game in his career and could provide lane intimidation on defense.

During the 2021 NBA Finals vs. Milwaukee, Ayton averaged a double-double with 14.7 points and 12 rebounds in over 35 minutes per game, meaning that Ayton would come to Toronto battle-tested and instantly improve the team’s frontcourt.

What would Deandre Ayton cost the Toronto Raptors?

To acquire talent, you have to make hard decisions. Given the way the contracts look right now, and the fact that Toronto is right up against the salary cap threshold, a player like OG Anunoby would have to be included in this deal.

If you’re out on an Ayton trade due to the inclusion of Anunoby, that is more than acceptable. However, if you’re all-in on Ayton, you have to be prepared to party with TONS of capital. In this scenario, Toronto would open up a guaranteed starting spot for their 2021 lottery pick Scottie Barnes. Ayton and Precious Achiuwa would patrol the center position.

As for Ayton, who wants a five-year, $172 million max-deal, the Raptors’ management could afford him by either trading Goran Dragic for picks and expiring contracts that will come off the books and choosing to move off of Khem Birch and Chris Boucher in the offseason. It’s not ideal, but if you believe in Ayton’s talent, this is the only approach to take.

If Ayton, a restricted free agent after this season, is truly not coming back to Phoenix, he could choose to sign a $14 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted FA, but this offer makes no sense. A trade might be more likely, and Toronto needs to at least do some due diligence.

This deal would be a high-risk high-reward situation but the benefit if it pans out is replacing what was lost in Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.