Why a Fred VanVleet-Deandre Ayton swap could help Raptors and Suns

The Toronto Raptors are looking more like a seller than ever before. Despite winning four of their last five games prior painful losses against the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Timberwolves without Karl-Anthony Towns, Toronto may need to part with some of their starters in order to get deeper.

PG Fred VanVleet and SG Gary Trent Jr. are very clearly available, with the former being targeted by both the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic as a potential free agent signing. If the Raptors are in the mood to trade VanVleet while still acquiring an impactful long-term piece, Suns center DeAndre Ayton makes too much sense.

Some of the latest Raptors trade buzz mentioned that they are still trying to make a move for Ayton, who was very close to signing with the Pacers in free agency. With multiple starters on the team that can help Phoenix get an adequate return, Toronto could theoretically swing a deal if Masai Ujiri is aggressive enough.

The Raptors need a frontcourt player that can help them match up against traditional centers, and the Suns are probably eyeing a traditional point guard that can solidify their backcourt. This deal is mutually beneficial for both sides.

Could the Toronto Raptors trade Fred VanVleet for Deandre Ayton?

While Ayton has shown that he is not going to be a primary or secondary scorer on a championship team, you don’t average a double-double for a half-decade in a row without an immense well of physical talent. He can be a productive two-way player in this league without demanding the ball a ton.

Adding Ayton to the mix would allow Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam to split primary ball-handling duties, creating some truly jumbo-sized lineups with Gary Trent Jr. as the shortest starting player. The aggressive defense Nurse wants to play will have the rim protection and rebounding it needs to be effective.

As for Phoenix, they are clearly reaching the end of the line when it comes to building this team around Chris Paul. VanVleet would give them a proven scorer with championship experience that should work nicely with Monty Williams while letting Booker be the offense’s focal point.

As much as we and many others like Christian Koloko, even a Raptors team that is very clearly selling right now needs to be realistic about his short-term potential. Adding Ayton, who is signed for the next few years, as the team’s center will help plug one of the team’s most significant holes, all while helping VanVleet land on his feet with a quality squad.