Suns Off Season Changes for 2025-26

[Big Al]

don't know how solid this is but if i were the lakers?

But according to sources, the Lakers are targeting three other centers instead of looking at Ayton as a solution to their problems. Summarized by ClutchPoints, the Lakers are looking at Nick Richards (Phoenix Suns), Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans), and Robert Williams (Portland Trail Blazers) as potential options to fill the starting center role.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-target-three-centers-as-they-seemingly-move-on-from-deandre-ayton-interest

DeAndre Ayton signed with the Lakers.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

DeAndre Ayton signed with the Lakers.

so lebron has to play with luka and ayton lmao

 

[Covert Rain]

Oh just wait. Lakers fans wanted to ring Andrew Bynum's neck by the time he was done there because of inconsistency. Ayton is gong to set a new bar.

 

[AzStevenCal]

thankfully lebron can go wherever he wants

Sure, as long as he dribbles every 10th step or so.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Sure, as long as he dribbles every 10th step or so.

where are you getting your weed from??!

 

[Chaplin]

Lol a match made in heaven.

 

[Proximo]

If Luka and Ayton really are buddies, Ayton may bring out his worst qualities.

Man I hope the Lakers turn into a train wreck.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If Luka and Ayton really are buddies, Ayton may bring out his worst qualities.

Man I hope the Lakers turn into a train wreck.

As do I and while I'm convinced this will be a nightmare in the long run for the Lakers, it actually could pay huge dividends in the short term. I wouldn't be shocked to see them get another title out of it before everything comes apart there. It's not like DA can't play.

 

[Cheesebeef]

LeBron is going to LOATHE Ayton.

 

[mjb21aztd]

so lebron has to play with luka and ayton lmao

Wish ayton luck in la he will prob get more wins there than suns this yr.... or portland lol

Any update on cp3 paul be fun to see him as backup pg 1 or 2 yrs

 

[Phrazbit]

Your Plumlee support is beyond bizzare - it's in a ton of threads. Dude was terrible.

The numbers don’t lie. He might fail the eye test but he was worlds better than Richards.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

ok all jokes aside - if ayton doesn't show up for practices or rehabs and is late to team flights and doesn't give 100% but gets mad when he's benched...

im guessing the contract they made him sign is nuts - im guessing they put some different types requirements and responsibilities in their new investment

that shouldn't be a problem but who knows - i think ayton's biggest problem is going to be jj redick and lebron james - neither is going to let deandre take plays off

 

[AzStevenCal]

ok all jokes aside - if ayton doesn't show up for practices or rehabs and is late to team flights and doesn't give 100% but gets mad when he's benched...

im guessing the contract they made him sign is nuts - im guessing they put some different types requirements and responsibilities in their new investment

that shouldn't be a problem but who knows - i think ayton's biggest problem is going to be jj redick and lebron james - neither is going to let deandre take plays off

Odds are, they'll implode around Christmas. But DA isn't a bad person and he's capable of being a very good basketball player so if I were a Lakers fan, I'd be excited about getting a potential star big man on the cheap. If it fails, you're really no worse off than you were before you took the Ayton gamble.

 

[Phrazbit]

How did Ayton get that kind of money… how do the lakers even have that much cap space….?

 

[Covert Rain]

How did Ayton get that kind of money… how do the lakers even have that much cap space….?

The Lakers were over the cap but weren't they under both the 1st and 2nd Apron? This says Ayton got a 2 year deal for $16.6 million. The rest comes from his buyout. 8.3 million per season and with 2nd season being a player option.

This doesn't scream confidence to me. Sounds like if this doesn't work next season, Ayton is free to seek another deal with another team if he declines his option.

Deandre Ayton reportedly agrees to two-year deal with Los Angeles Lakers after Trail Blazers buyout

Between his buyout with Portland and his new contract with the Lakers, Ayton will reportedly make $33.7 million next season.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[SunsTzu]

How did Ayton get that kind of money… how do the lakers even have that much cap space….?

He signed for what the Lakers had left over after signing Laravia with part of the MLE. The reporting has been really odd because they are including the buyout from the Blazers. Lakers are only paying ~8mil this year and a little more than that next year if he picks up his option as far as I can tell.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Odds are, they'll implode around Christmas. But DA isn't a bad person and he's capable of being a very good basketball player so if I were a Lakers fan, I'd be excited about getting a potential star big man on the cheap. If it fails, you're really no worse off than you were before you took the Ayton gamble.

yup - didn't have to trade for him either

 

[Raindog]

I mean it's not a terrible gamble for the Lakers to take a flyer on, considering they need a center and don't have a lot of cap space or other resources to get one.

On the other hand, they also don't have a lot of day to day, hands on experience with what a big baby Ayton can be either. They might very well be regretting it before next season is even over.

I'm guessing Ayton will stay motivated about until the newest version of EA Sports' NBA video game is released.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

I mean it's not a terrible gamble for the Lakers to take a flyer on, considering they need a center and don't have a lot of cap space or other resources to get one.

On the other hand, they also don't have a lot of day to day, hands on experience with what a big baby Ayton can be either. They might very well be regretting it before next season is even over.

I'm guessing Ayton will stay motivated about until the newest version of EA Sports' NBA video game is released.

los angeles will be too much for him like vegas is for gambling addicts - there was no scene/night life in the valley or potland

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

ayton gets to be a laker and book gets fitzgerald'd in phx - technically and statistically speaking deandre is now 17 times more likely to win a championship than devin is

devin fitzgerald - he's not the best but he's our best - and we'll never let him go lol the team and coaches will always come and go but not #1̶1̶ #1

 

[Yuma]

Throwing some mud off the wall, but would Lillard be interested in signing with the Suns for the minimum?

I know he is injured, but if he comes back later this season or next, he is a star level player.

I heard on the radio a lot of top teams have been calling his agent. Dame for $10 million, even paying for his rehab year, it seems to big of a bargain.

 

[Yuma]

They were talking on the radio that noone could foresee both the number 1 and number 2 pick of the 2018 draft would not be on their original teams, and end up together on the same team. Both were supposed to be franchise players on the teams that drafted them.

 

[Mainstreet]

I heard on the radio a lot of top teams have been calling his agent. Dame for $10 million, even paying for his rehab year, it seems to big of a bargain.

It wouldn't be a surprise. A healthy Lillard has value and medical technology keeps advancing.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

They were talking on the radio that noone could foresee both the number 1 and number 2 pick of the 2018 draft would not be on their original teams, and end up together on the same team. Both were supposed to be franchise players on the teams that drafted them.

luka was

 

[Hoop Head]

They were talking on the radio that noone could foresee both the number 1 and number 2 pick of the 2018 draft would not be on their original teams, and end up together on the same team. Both were supposed to be franchise players on the teams that drafted them.

Ayton, Bagley, and Luka have all been moved. So #1-3 now aren't with their initial team. Of course Luka is still an All-Star while Ayton and Bagley are huge disappointments. That draft is so loaded that it hurts knowing how badly the Suns fumbled. I can't even blame them entirely since I was in support of the Ayton pick. He was supposed to be the safe pick.