Can the Dallas Mavericks still trade for Deandre Ayton? Insider gives update

Noah Weber

2021 NBA Finals - Game Five / Christian Petersen/GettyImages

Deandre Ayton was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and has turned into one of the best centers in the NBA.

He rebounds, blocks shots, and is a great scorer in the paint. Even though he has been solid for the Suns, he has been tossed around in trade rumors this summer, and the Dallas Mavericks have been rumored as a potential destination more than anyone else.

Dallas was reportedly engaged in draft night trade talks with the Suns centered around Ayton, but the deal fell through. Dallas' package that was offered in a trade for Ayton was reportedly Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, and Richaun Holmes.

Phoenix didn't want McGee, so they declined Dallas' offer.

Can the Dallas Mavericks still trade for Deandre Ayton? Insider gives update

No one is exactly sure what Dallas' offer for Ayton was, regardless of the previously mentioned rumors, but it's no secret that they were interested in the star big man.

Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game last season. He is undeniably a top-10 center in the NBA, and having him in Dallas would be massive.

Even though the Mavs seemed interested in trading for Ayton at the time of the draft, it doesn't seem like this move is going to happen anymore.

Tim Cato of The Athletic was asked in a mailbag, "Is the Deandre Ayton trade dead?" and Cato said it was.

He also said that his perception was that "there was a wide range of opinions within the Mavericks’ organization about Ayton and how he would perform here." Cato also added that he doesn't see Dallas making a move for Ayton in the future either.

Dallas' front office could have been iffy on Ayton fitting next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He isn't necessarily the type of center that Dallas usually has, but his talent is top-tier. Dallas could have tried to make him fit, but it would have taken some time.

This is all speculation at this point, as anything is possible and Phoenix could change their mind and want to trade him, but an Ayton trade to Dallas seems unlikely now, and in the future.

We'll have you covered with all the latest news and rumors surrounding the Dallas Mavericks, so stay tuned.

Noah Weber

Noah Weber is the Site Expert for The Smoking Cuban, covering the Dallas Mavericks as a credentialed media member since the 2022-23 season. With a Bachelor of Science in Sports Media from Oklahoma State University, Noah has worked in sports journalism since 2019. While he's covered the Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma State Cowboys, he has now established himself as a go-to voice for Mavericks coverage. Noah's expertise includes in-depth game analysis, social media content creation, and offering unique perspectives through his reporting. His work has been featured on major platforms such as ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Overtime. During his time at Oklahoma State, Noah won first place in the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association Awards for a show he co-produced. Outside of covering the Mavs, Noah enjoys working out, playing basketball and Spikeball, and spending quality time with friends and family.