Ayton is rumored to be addicted to video games and doesn't get proper sleep or prepare his body Complained with coaches about minutes/touches/role. Maybe some of the complaints spilled over to Book/KD or maybe they are just sick of overhearing it. Certainly some legit red flags. Sometimes players just need a scenery change to mature - think ZBo. If we had to give up multiple firsts or something I say hell no, but if its just Nurk and a bench player its worth the risk.
Ayton's measurables are amazing. I had no idea. 7'6" wingspan 9.3 standing reach, 43 1/2 vertical. 250 lbs
What Sharpes Triumph said. Ayton did not get along with Monty Williams. Much of Williams undoing here in Phoenix is because it’s quietly said he had his favorites and players he did not like. He never liked Ayton on a personal level. Did not connect. But it is said Williams struggled connecting with other players as well. Again, it is something that is hush hush here but Matt Ishbia wanted a coach that connected with all players. Too much water under the bridge for Booker. It’s said he understands Aytons stance, but just simply wants to move on. KD defers to Booker. This is Books team and KD rolls how Book rolls Personally, I think Ayton is more than worth the gamble if not putting out more than Nurk And Nas. Many here want Simmons from the Nets. I like Ayton much more. Kid can give 24/10 nightly. He is a great low post and pick and pop shooter. He wants to be a part of the game plan. With Scoot and Sharpe, Ayton can be a beast.
I just spoke with someone in Phoenix and they made it seem like not only have there been some discussions, that there have been more discussions than are being reported in their opinion. They think ownership/management is ready to move on and Ayton has done some things they don't think they want to deal with as a team or even at media day given some of his actions and comments. They seem to think Portland has liked DA before and this is more likely than not to happen either on it's own or as part of a bigger deal. It was almost enough to make me go to my dresser drawer and pull out my 'shorts'. They were very reasonable in their assessment and now I'm digging even further.
Amazing that he flashes all the ability, but is his mentality really that fragile? I mean, for Nurk and Martin or McConnell or whoever, sure it’s worth the risk, but it makes me temper my expectations. Is he really that bad of a malcontent that the Suns would give up on him before even one game with Vogel. Even as a player, why does he get pushed off his base so easily? All reasons for concern, but his showing with the Bahamas team at least inspires optimism.
It was like watching Nurk last year make plays for his home country team that way rarely if ever see him make for the Blazers.
They know Ayton will be the better player and already is. Their aspirations are bigger. Championship. They can't invest anymore time and hope into Ayton at the expense of a chip. They are at the doorstep. Like the Warriors and Wiseman, the Suns are willing to take a much lower ceiling for something more stable. We have the luxury of being bad and bringing Ayton along slowly with a change of scenery. He's already an 18 and 10 guy.
From what I read about him from Phoenix insiders is he cares more about video games than working on his game.
Wow. I would love to see some of this from Scoot and Ayton if it were to happen. (video below). You may dislike Chris Paul, but I can't see how anyone can dislike his passing skills. For me, I've always disliked little guards who ignore big guys who have a clear mismatch, especially when said big man moves his body to get that mismatch, like when they run the floor. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Lamarcus Alridge and Sergio Rodriguez. Aldridge knew Sergio would get him the ball if he ran the floor. I think that was a missed opportunity by Nate McMillan to make the offense more diverse and difficult to defend. Playing with a passing point guard also (my opinion) energizes the teammates on defense. The guys who need help scoring know they will get that help if they get a stop then run the floor. I don't mind that talented big guys get a bit upset when they're left out of the offense, because I'm upset with them. I think Scoot could make a talented big man (and the offense) very difficult to defend with the the big man racking up fouls on the other team and high-percentage scores at the hoop. edit: We saw Scoot surrounded by 3 or even 4 players in the summer league. It would be very difficult to defend him and Ayton. Scoot might not be the passer (yet) that Chris Paul is , but he's going to be more difficult to stop from getting to the hoop himself.
IF.....the Suns don't trade Ayton now or by next season, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to move him and they are more likely to be stuck with him, especially if this year doesn't go well. That, or they might not get much back. They may feel they need to trade him and he wants a fresh start and not go another 6 months where things don't go well.
I haven't watched Ayton a lot, but one thing you notice instantly is how good his hands are. Pair a big man with real big-man size with good hands and good finishing ability with Scoot Henderson. Geez. I think I'd trade Lillard and Nurkic for Ayton and that would be good enough.
I would be happy with either of these -- Ayton + OG for Dame or Ayton + Barnes for Dame I think there's a better chance than we're giving it credit for that we're talking about Barnes and not OG. OG makes more sense if you're competing with Dame. Barnes makes less sense for them in that regard but either would be very acceptable.
Not sure I 100% buy this, Ayton makes much more than Nurk. 2nd apron rules won't allow aggregation of salaries in trades next year. They could trade Ayton for a 35 million player next year, but they can't trade Nurk+someone for that player. Perhaps if they plan on more role players at smaller salaries, or just want to save tax it makes sense. But they lose some flexibility to do a big trade later by moving Ayton now. If they think Ayton value may go down then it makes sense for them to get what they can now.
I was simply going over an amalgamation of some of the reasons they might do it from the perspective of someone in Phoenix. Who knows what they actually do, but he believed there are multiple reasons they might move him either now or fairly soon.
The whole video games argument gets so overblown imo. There were people on this forum screaming red flag with Sharpe who similarly plays a lot of video games. Doesn’t Scoot stream? Video games literally just comes with the generation. I’m in the minority of people my age who doesn’t play video games, and I haven’t bought this year’s 2k nor do I plan to. I could be 100% wrong, but I chalk it up to him not being happy with his situation that he didn’t put as much effort into basketball as he should’ve—meaning video games, poor nutrition, etc. If/when he gets here, maybe it’s up to us to let him establish early as a scorer, at least 20ppg. Then as his confidence goes up, constantly remind him that he’s only going to be able to maintain this play if he focuses on nutrition, working out, etc.
I’m told he has a custom suitcase that Carrie’s his games and what not when traveling. Mind you I am gaming illiterate. I have an addictive personality and have never had a game consol in my house. My kids play at their friends houses.
I have had a crippling addiction to video games. Not so much anymore but I have seen games ruin marriages. I have seen them cause people to fail out of college. I have seen people isolate themselves from their friends and family. Games like World of Warcraft are dangerously addictive. People playing 12+ hours per day. A friend of mine had a roommate that played WoW so much that he wouldn’t leave his room and he’d pee in 2 liter jugs and leave them around the room. It’s a serious addiction and it can fuck up your life just as bad as any drug.
