Ayton Joins Spurs: Rekindling the Glory of the Frontcourt, Striving for the Championship?
Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, has been carrying the hopes of the Phoenix Suns' frontcourt rise since he stepped into the team. In his rookie season, he averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds, showcasing his extraordinary basketball talent with his excellent physical quality and under-the-basket skills, making people full of imagination about his future.
However, as time goes by, Ayton's situation in the Suns has become increasingly difficult. In terms of salary, he has had a huge disagreement with the Suns' management. When other star players of the same level have successively received top salary renewals, Ayton's renewal path is full of difficulties. The Suns' hesitation and delay in the renewal issue made Ayton feel that he did not get the respect and attention he deserved. Although the Suns finally matched the 4-year $133 million contract offered by the Pacers to Ayton, this process has planted seeds of dissatisfaction in Ayton's heart.
In terms of tactics, Ayton's situation is equally awkward. The Suns' tactical system revolves more around the outside core Booker and Paul, and Ayton often becomes a "baker" in the offensive end, with few opportunities for independent offense. He only averages 12 shots per game in the regular season, which is seriously insufficient for a No. 1 center. In the playoffs, the team seldom passes the ball to Ayton at critical moments, and his tactical status is far lower than expected. This long-term neglected tactical status greatly restricts Ayton's growth and performance.
Under various contradictions, the relationship between Ayton and the Suns gradually broke down, and rumors of leaving the team were rampant. Finally, Ayton was traded to the Trail Blazers, ending his five-year regrettable time in the Suns. This trade instantly became the focus of the basketball world, triggering extensive discussions and attention. Fans speculated about Ayton's future direction and which team could become his next stop to help him rediscover the value of the champion.
The San Antonio Spurs, shining in the history of the NBA, is one of the most successful teams. Since joining the NBA in 1976, the Spurs have won the championship five times, won the division championship 19 times, and entered the playoffs 22 times, witnessing the team's strong strength.
In the glorious history of the Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich has made indelible contributions. His coaching career spans 27 seasons, and he is the soul figure of the Spurs. Coach Popovich is famous for his unique coaching style and excellent tactical concepts. He emphasizes teamwork, focuses on defensive intensity, and is good at tapping the potential of players, helping countless players achieve leaps in their careers. Under his careful guidance, Tim Duncan has grown into a historical-level power forward, David Robinson has become a top center in the league, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have also grown into All-Star-level players. These stars, led by Coach Popovich, unite closely, forming a powerful team fighting force, winning many honors for the Spurs.
For Ayton, joining the Spurs means that he will have the opportunity to play under the guidance of Coach Popovich. Coach Popovich is good at training inside players. He can formulate personalized training plans and tactical systems for Ayton, helping Ayton improve his low-post singles, defensive awareness, and teamwork ability. Under the guidance of Coach Popovich, Ayton is expected to give full play to his potential and become a top center. In addition, the profound team culture and brilliant historical heritage of the Spurs will also inspire Ayton to keep making progress and pursue excellence.
In terms of salary space, the Spurs have sufficient operating space. According to relevant reports, the Spurs currently have about $40 million in salary space, which makes them highly competitive in the free market. In pursuing the Ayton trade, the Spurs can offer an attractive contract to meet Ayton's salary expectations. At the same time, the Spurs are good at planning the salary structure reasonably. They can provide stable salary protection for Ayton on the premise of ensuring the balance of the team's salary, which undoubtedly increases the attractiveness of the Spurs to Ayton.
In terms of draft picks, the Spurs are "rich". In the next 7 years, they hold 12 first-round picks and 18 second-round picks, and such rich draft resources are unparalleled in the league. These draft picks provide great flexibility for the Spurs' trades and lineup adjustments. In the negotiations with the Suns about Ayton, the Spurs can use these draft picks as important chips to attract the Suns to reach a deal. For example, the Spurs can send multiple first-round picks and second-round picks to exchange for the Suns' release of Ayton. In addition, the rich draft picks also provide a guarantee for the Spurs' future lineup construction. They can select young players with potential through the draft to form a good match with core players like Ayton and Wembanyama, building a competitive team.
The American media exposed a shocking 5-for-1 trade plan: the Spurs sent Devonte Graham, Zach Collins, Doug McDermott, and two future first-round picks to the Suns in exchange for Ayton. This trade plan is full of sincerity. The Spurs put out many capable players and precious first-round picks, aiming to build an interior double tower combination centered on Wembanyama and Ayton, laying a solid foundation for the team's future rise.
From the perspective of the Spurs, Devonte Graham is an outstanding dual guard with strong three-point shooting and organizational abilities. However, in the Spurs' lineup, his role is not irreplaceable. Zach Collins has a good height and wingspan, with certain pick-and-roll and rim protection capabilities, but his performance has not met the team's expectations in the competition for the inside line. Doug McDermott is a pure shooter with a high three-point shooting rate, but his contribution on the defensive end is relatively limited. In order to obtain a talented center like Ayton, the Spurs painfully gave up these three players, which is undoubtedly a bold gamble.
For the Suns, this trade is also attractive. The three players they get each have their own characteristics and can effectively enhance the depth and tactical diversity of the team. Graham can provide outside firepower support and organization connection for the team. After Paul left, his presence will add vitality to the team's backcourt. Collins can take on some defensive and rebounding protection tasks in the inside line. His mobility and three-point shooting ability can also open up space for the team's offense. McDermott's three-pointer is what the Suns urgently need. He can create more breakthrough and passing space for stars like Durant and Booker outside the line. In addition, the Suns also gained two future first-round picks, which provided valuable assets for the team's future rebuilding.
From the salary structure, this trade is also feasible. Although Ayton's annual salary is high, the Spurs can achieve balance in salary by sending multiple players, ensuring that the team will not face too much salary pressure. At the same time, after the Suns get these three players, they can also arrange the lineup reasonably within the salary range and prepare for the new season of the team.
In addition to the 5-for-1 trade plan, there is another 4-for-1 trade idea that has aroused wide discussion. The plan proposes that the Spurs use McDermott, Bullock, Graham, and future draft picks to exchange Ayton. This plan also shows the Spurs' strong desire for Ayton and the efforts made to build a strong inside line combination.
McDermott has always been a reliable three-point shooter in the Spurs, with a stable shooting percentage, able to provide important firepower support for the team from the outside. Bullock is a defensive ace with outstanding physical quality, able to cause trouble for opponents on the defensive end, and also has a certain three-point shooting ability. Graham has been introduced earlier, and his dual-guard attributes can bring more tactical choices to the team. These three players have different characteristics, but they can all provide some help to the Suns.
In terms of draft picks, the Spurs may send a future first-round pick or multiple second-round picks. For the Suns, draft picks are an important asset for the team's future rebuilding. They can select young players with potential through the draft to inject new vitality into the team's future development.
From the perspective of the Suns, after getting these three players, they can further optimize the team's lineup. McDermott and Graham's three-point shooting ability can enhance the team's outside firepower, and Bullock's defense can enhance the team's defensive intensity. At the same time, the Suns can also get draft picks to provide more possibilities for the team's future planning.
For the Spurs, the key to this trade is whether they can successfully get Ayton. If the trade can be concluded, the inside line combination of Ayton and Wembanyama will become one of the most promising twin towers in the league. Ayton's strong inside attack ability and excellent rebounding ability can complement Wembanyama's comprehensive technology. Under the tactical system of Coach Popovich, this pair of twin towers is expected to lead the Spurs to achieve excellent results in the new season.
Once Ayton successfully joins the Spurs, the inside line twin tower combination he forms with Wembanyama will surely become an existence that makes opponents fear. Wembanyama, this genius player who is 2.24 meters tall and has an arm span of 2.44 meters, possesses extremely excellent speed and dribbling ability. On the defensive end, he relies on his terrifying height and arm span, like an insurmountable barrier, able to easily complete block shots and rebound protection tasks. On the offensive end, Wembanyama's shooting ability and