How did the Suns end up agreeing to Wednesday’s trade, which saw them send away Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara and receive four players?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- Bucks Receive: Damian Lillard
- Blazers Receive: Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, 2029 1st round pick via Bucks and two pick swaps with the Bucks
- Suns Receive: Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, Keon Johnson and Grayson Allen
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski details it in this below story.
For ESPN+: The final days and hours on the Portland, Milwaukee and Phoenix negotiations for the Damian Lillard blockbuster trade https://t.co/cKN6xjPKtK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 30, 2023
According to Wojnarkowski, the Blazers and GM Joe Cronin kept the Suns and CEO Josh Bartelstein in the loop for “for months and weeks and days,” as the third team in the trade. Portland wanted Ayton even before Damian Lillard asked for a trade. The Suns were most intrigued about giving up Ayton for another starting center for half the price in Jusuf Nurkić and role players.
Phoenix was to never know who would end up getting Lillard until right before because the Suns always knew they would be receiving Nurkić, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson from the Blazers. However, they would also be receiving a mystery player on top of this.
“Cronin kept telling Bartelstein: Just trust me. You’re going to like the mystery player. Trust me.”
The Suns narrowed down the mystery player to either be Grayson Allen from the Bucks or Victor Oladipo from the Thunder because Cronin told them the salary and position of the player.
Cronin told Bartelstein Wednesday afternoon that the mystery player was Allen.
“After the Suns confirmed it was Allen, Bartelstein, Jones and Ishbia briefly huddled and returned a resounding yes to Cronin. Done, Bartelstein told him. And that was that.”
Allen started 70 of 72 games played during the regular season last year in Milwaukee. He averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 39.9% from deep and 44% overall. The 6-foot-4 guard is in the prime years of his career, as he is about turn 28 in a couple weeks. After being drafted 21st overall, he spent his first season (2018-19) in the NBA in Utah. Then he went to Memphis for two years and finally played for the Bucks the last two years. Allen brings the experience and defense needed to be the fifth starter for the Suns.
Phoenix must view Allen as its fifth starter if this is what pushed the team over the edge.
Portland Trail Blazers Reportedly Believe Deandre Ayton is a Top-5 Center in the NBA
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
