5 Hypothetical trades that land Deandre Ayton on the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks must upgrade their roster after a disappointing season. Luka Doncic was second in the NBA in scoring, but his team lost 18 of their final 25 games to miss the playoffs entirely. It was a frustrating season made worse by trading their depth and defense for Kyrie Irving in February.

The Mavs are not the only team in desperation mode entering the offseason. Deandre Ayton appears to have played his last game for the Suns. Marc Stein reported on his unhappiness in Phoenix (subscription required) and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon confirmed those rumors. The Mavs have long had interest in the 24-year-old big man, but can they acquire him this summer?

Ayton's market is a question mark right now. No team will be eager to help the Suns improve their roster around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They already have arguably the league’s best one-two punch, but what can they get for the 6'11 big man? The Suns need depth, shooting, and defense around their two superstars. Here is a look at how the Mavs could be the team that lands Ayton.

Hypothetical trades that get Deandre Ayton on the Dallas Mavericks

5. Marc Stein’s hypothetical

Marc Stein offered a hypothetical Mavericks and Suns trade on his podcast, #thisleague UNCUT. He noted that it was pure fiction at this point, and he wondered aloud if the Suns would ask for than this for the 24-year-old big man.

The Mavs would love to make this trade. Yes, it would mean they keep their top ten pick following Tuesday's lottery. If the Mavs pick falls outside the top ten, it heads to New York from the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Dallas would give up a key shot-maker in Tim Hardaway Jr. and arguably their best defender in Maxi Kleber plus the draft pick, but they get one of the most talented young centers in the league. If Ayton locks in and continues to develop his jumper, he could be one of the best players in the league.

The Suns add two floor spacers here plus a top-ten draft pick. They may look to flip the draft choice for another rotation piece or just ride with a talented rookie. Phoenix is nearing the second tax apron, so having a player on a rookie contract could be appealing.

The Dallas Mavericks would love this package, but it feels a bit light. Let’s go through both teams’ dream trades before getting to the more likely scenarios.

4. Dream trade for the Suns

The Suns have the premium asset here. Ayton is a former number-one overall pick that helped them get to the NBA Finals in 2021 and to have the best regular season record in the league in 2022. He turns 25 years old in July and just averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game.

Phoenix will start the negotiations with a high price, but can they get it for Ayton? The Suns would likely ask for a package like this to begin the talks.

Dallas is not even in that ballpark. Ayton has star potential, but he has not produced like one on the court. Plus, Phoenix is not exactly operating with complete leverage. Two NBA insiders have already reported that Ayton has likely played his final game with the team, and Jake Fischer was asking the same question after the Suns were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

Dallas is not going to give up two first-round picks, two role players, and a promising young talent. That is just too much for the 24-year-old. The Mavericks may look to keep Jaden Hardy out of any deal after he showed flashes as a rookie. They could counter with their dream offer for the former number-one overall pick.

3. Dream trade for Mavericks

The Suns want depth and the at least one first-round pick feels like a necessary part of any trade here. Dallas won’t be eager to give up their 2023 lottery pick, though. They could look to trade the Suns some depth and force them to take on a negative contract if they want the premium draft choice.

Here the Suns get a much-needed shot-maker in Tim Hardaway Jr. and a top-ten draft pick to upgrade their roster further. JaVale McGee played a key role for the Suns in 2022 before arriving in Dallas on a multi-year deal, and Phoenix may welcome him back if Ayton is gone. They will certainly have open playing time at the five.

The Mavericks would love to clear the Bertans contract off their books. He is owed $17 million next season with just $5 million guaranteed in the 2024-25 season. Could they convince the Suns to take it? Bertans could play a minimal role off the bench in Phoenix as he provides floor space to any lineup. The Suns would love to have some additional shooting next to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

The Suns would likely scoff at this offer. Most fans assume the following trade is more likely, but involving Kyrie Irving in the deal is mighty complicated because the eight-time All-Star is not currently under contract.

2. Kyrie Irving blockbuster

The Suns and Mavericks would have to work out a sign-and-trade for Kyrie Irving to end up in Phoenix. Such a deal would hard cap the Suns, which is projected to be at $162 million (subscription required). Phoenix has $165.6 million committed in salaries to just seven players, so they would have to do some significant maneuvering to put Kyrie on the team. Here’s a deal that makes it work per Fanspo.

If they give Kyrie a four-year $160 million contract, which is below the max, this move allows the Suns to trim enough payroll to round out their roster. It does little to improve Phoenix’s depth, but it upgrades their star talent.

Fanspo says this trade works, but the more likely scenario would be Phoenix trading CP3 to a team with cap space before pulling off a sign-and-trade for Kyrie. Ayton would head back to Dallas, which would give the Suns plenty of room to dip below the tax apron.

Chris Paul should have trade value around the league. Injuries have become an issue for the 38-year-old, but he is still one of the best floor generals. The Suns would be upgrading to Kyrie, so they would have zero need for CP3.

Consider this one unlikely because it does not allow the Phoenix Suns to improve their depth and it hard caps them. If a Deandre Ayton to Dallas trade happens this summer, here is the most likely scenario.

1. Most likely

The Suns want depth, and Dallas would love to add Deandre Ayton. Ayton shares an agent with Luka Doncic, and the two 2018 draftees know each other well. The 24-year-old would instantly be one of the best centers in Mavs history, and both sides are motivated to make a deal. Here is what the final trade could look like if they decide to move Ayton to the Mavericks.

This deal gives the Suns three players that could instantly slot into their rotation. Tim Hardaway Jr. could start or come off the bench, but he will be a key floor spacer in their closing group. Maxi Kleber’s ability to protect the rim, guard on the perimeter, and shoot threes makes him a candidate to close games, and they also add a backup center in JaVale McGee.

The first-round pick feels like a must for the former number-one overall pick. Is it a hefty price? Yes, but it will always cost to acquire talent in the NBA. Young talent adds a tax. This trade would further deplete the Mavs' depth, but they would have the entire offseason to figure it out behind their three stars.

Will the Dallas Mavericks acquire Deandre Ayton this offseason? Do they have a massive trade up their sleeve? The offseason rumors are just starting to heat up, and the deals will happen before fans know it, so stay tuned for all the latest.