The NBA offseason is quickly approaching, which means teams will begin to pivot into exploring roster moves they could make prior to the 2023-24 regular season.
With this in mind, Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley created a wish list for all 30 NBA teams to identify their dream trade target. He noted he avoided using the same player multiple times and that all candidates are within the realm of possibility.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Buckley decided their dream trade target this offseason should be Deandre Ayton. The Phoenix Suns center is in the midst of a second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
“If the Oklahoma City Thunder have been awaiting a sign that this team is ready to accelerate, this season sure felt like one adorned with flashing lights. They were more than fun, more than encouraging, more than intriguing — they were legitimately good. …
Deandre Ayton could be a frontcourt fixture for years to come. The Phoenix Suns don’t seem entirely committed to him — they forced him to find an offer sheet elsewhere last summer — and might view an Ayton deal as an opportunity to better balance their roster around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Ayton, meanwhile, could stabilize OKC’s center spot and quite possibly increase his output in an offense that needs more scoring threats to lighten Gilgeous-Alexander’s load.”
The 24-year-old will have three years and $102.1 million remaining on his current deal that he signed this past offseason. In 67 games with the Suns this season, he averaged 18 points on 58.9% shooting, 10 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
