5 co-stars the Dallas Mavericks should target to pair with Luka Doncic

Co-star Dallas Mavericks should target to pair with Luka Doncic: 2. Deandre Ayton

The Phoenix Suns failed to reach an extension with Ayton last summer, and he is set to be a restricted free agent on July 1. The former number one overall pick has a unique skill set that every team in the league would love to employ, and he will likely get a max deal from some team this summer. Will the Suns match? There is plenty of speculation after Phoenix failed to get an extension done.

Dallas does not have the cap space to sign Ayton outright, and sign-and-trade scenarios get messy as the Mavericks would have to stay under the hard cap if they make the move. With Luka’s extension kicking in, that means moving multiple players to fit in Ayton’s new massive deal.

The 6’11 big man is not the best traditional rim protector, but fans saw Ayton’s abilities in the Suns' second-round playoff series against the Mavericks. The 23-year-old has a strong mid-range game that will likely turn into a devastating 3-point shot in time. Ayton’s potential is massive, and he will land a massive payday this summer.

Do not expect to see Deandre Ayton land in Dallas, but the Mavericks will certainly explore ways to pull off a deal. Acquiring a 23-year-old with Ayton's potential could help Dallas become an annual title contender for the next decade-plus.