Although the Dallas Mavericks acquired a couple of new big men this summer in eight-year veteran Richaun Holmes and rookie Dereck Lively II, that didn't keep rumors of Dallas still seeking another veteran center from surfacing all throughout the offseason.
Among those rumors was one that featured Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavs had trade talks with the Suns during the draft in June, with Dallas' offer consisting of Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes and JaVale McGee. Reportedly, McGee was the main piece of that offer that kept the Suns from going further with those trade talks, but according to PHNX Sports, the entire offer was seen as being 'underwhelming.'
"One source told PHNX Sports that the Dallas Mavericks made an underwhelming offer for Ayton over the summer, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported in May that Ayton would be 'excited about a fresh start with another franchise' following the Suns’ second-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets," Gerald Bourguet writes.
So ... if the trade offer the Mavs presented in June wasn't adequate, what exactly would it take for the Suns to send their former 2018 No. 1 overall pick to a conference rival?
"It would take a compelling offer to get the Suns to reconsider their stance on Ayton. Not only would Phoenix seek a starting-caliber big man to replace DA, but they’d also need additional assets — either a young player with potential who could also contribute right now on a contender, draft compensation to help refill their empty cupboard, or both," Bourguet writes.
"Although the Suns considered trade offers for Deandre Ayton the night of the 2023 NBA Draft, those offers were subpar. One source went as far as calling them 'trash,' so the Suns kept their former No. 1 pick through the offseason."
Given that the Mavs are already short on future first-round draft picks to include in trades, it's hard to say if they'd seriously consider parting with one for a player like Ayton. Sure, he'd easily be the best center the Mavs have had since Tyson Chandler, but he also has some real limitations that make many think he's overpaid at around $34 million per year over the next three seasons.
If the Mavs are unable to come to terms with fourth-year man Josh Green on a contract extension, should they consider trading him instead of significant draft capital in order to get Ayton, or just wait to play the restricted free agency game next summer? We suppose that depends on just how much the Mavs' front office believe's in Ayton's potential. Ayton just turned 25 years old this summer, so in theory, he should just now be starting to enter his prime years.
Or ... if McGee truly was the biggest holdup in the Mavs' draft-night offer for Ayton, as Stein initially reported, why don't they make their way back to the negotiating table with an offer of just Hardaway and Holmes this time ... perhaps with a second-round pick or two? Who knows if the Mavs and Suns can revive their previous trade talks, but at the very least, it doesn't sound like Phoenix is 100 percent determined to keep Ayton long term.
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