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Knicks must monitor unstable Suns situation in light of Deandre Ayton’s comments

ByMark Wessol|
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #22 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talk prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on March 09, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #22 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talk prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on March 09, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Well, Media Day (or Content Day) has come and gone for New York Knicks fans and the excitement is here with the season just around the corner. But first, what’s going on in Phoenix? (enter Brian Windhorst meme)

The Knicks, who admittedly had a poor season compared to where they were just two years ago, seemed excited to be back. We saw Derrick Rose flexing around shirtless, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley having their bromance, and even Julius Randle joking around and looking happy to be back. Phoenix, on the other hand, was different.

Before I dive in, I want to say that the Robert Sarver situation is much bigger than basketball and it’s extremely unfortunate that the players, organization, and most importantly everyone that was affected had to go through that. With that being said, there were overall odd and strange vibes in Phoenix during Media Day, starting with starting center Deandre Ayton.

Watching this clip when Ayton was congratulated and asked how he felt that Phoenix matched Indiana’s offer of four years, $133 million was… uncomfortable? He certainly doesn’t seem excited to be there if you ask me. Because the Suns matched the Pacers’ offer, the earliest Ayton can be traded is Jan. 15, but keep an eye on that situation.

Is Chris Paul fed up with the Phoenix Suns?

We all know how the Phoenix Suns ended their season last year, getting their doors absolutely blown off against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a final score of 123-90.

On Monday, Chris Paul was asked if there was anything he learned from that game or if there was anything to dwell on, to which he said, “Honestly, not really.” Now, of course, this could just be a sign that he and the Suns have moved on from that series and have erased it from their memory. But it also seems like he could have maybe elaborated on it a bit more.

What’s going on with the Phoenix Suns?

It looks like there is a lot to unpack here with everything going on in the Suns organization, and I’m not saying that they are going to be blowing up the team. I mean, they are two seasons removed from an NBA Finals appearance and are coming off a league-best regular season record of 64 wins. But I will say that Knicks fans, and NBA fans in general, should be monitoring the situation.

A few months ago, Devin Booker inked a four-year, $224 million dollar supermax deal with the Suns that ties him to the organization through the 2027-28 season. But this is the NBA after all, and we are no strangers to seeing star players get traded every season. Jae Crowder has already asked out of Phoenix, so who’s going to be next?

We also all know the Knicks are loaded with draft capital and have the ability to be in trade discussions involving any player at any given time. It certainly seems like a star trade is how New York will get back to relevancy. Devin Booker playing his home games in Madison Square Garden for the Knicks does sound pretty nice. He is a beloved Kentucky Wildcat and CAA client, so who knows, never say never.

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