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Since the Phoenix Suns’ acquisition of Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, the roster, especially center Deandre Ayton, has had to adjust to playing alongside each other.
Ayton said he understood the sacrifice, telling GoPHNX.com’s Gerald Bourguet that his priority is to bring home a championship.
“My goal is to be on top of this world, to be honest,” he said, according to Bourguet. “Win a ring. And that’s what I play for, that’s what I sacrifice for, and that’s why I love to play, knowing that I could get a chance at that.”
Ayton, who is in his fifth season as a Sun after being the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, is coming off another strong season, averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while shooting 58.9% from the field.
Deandre Ayton Adapting to New Role in Suns Offense
Ayton has had to adapt twice to a new role after blossoming into one of the top centers in the league in his first two seasons. When Phoenix traded for Chris Paul in 2020, Ayton had to adjust to becoming the team’s third scoring option.
Then, when the Suns traded for Kevin Durant in February, Ayton once again had to adjust to a redefined role. In the eight games Durant has played with the Suns, Ayton’s touches per game fell to 44.1 from 52.9, according to an April 12 story by Bourguet, and his touches in the paint fell to 8.8 per game from 11.4.
“One thing is certain: Deandre Ayton’s role on offense will revolve around doing more of the little things, such as sprinting in transition, crashing the offensive glass, setting good screens and rolling with intention,” Bourguet wrote.
Ayton said he was optimistic about his role moving forward, pointing to the attention his teammates will draw from defenses.
“I think the court’s open now, and one screen is opening up the whole floor for me,” Ayton said, according to Bourguet. “So I think K getting back, they’ll get back to me where they do their thing and I’m dominating down low.”
Deandre Ayton’s Postseason Success Could Give Suns Advantage
Phoenix is set to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening round of the playoffs. The spotlight will be shining brightly on superstars such as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant for the Suns, as they attempt to slow down Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. But history suggests that Ayton could become the X-factor of this series.
The Clippers will attempt to slowdown both Durant and Booker as much as possible. In the eight games in which the superstars have played together, they have combined to average 50.0 points per game. With the Clippers potentially focusing their defensive efforts on Booker and Durant, opportunities could open up for Ayton to leave an impact.
Ayton has been a force in the playoffs, averaging 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 65.1% from the field in 35 games. But the opening round of the playoffs is where Ayton has specifically been stellar. Ayton has averaged 18.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the opening round while shooting 73.8% from the field.
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