Deandre Ayton From Suns To Blazers Was In Place Before Damian Lillard Trade Talks Ramped Up

As the Portland Trail Blazers ramped up their trade discussions on Damian Lillard, it became clear they were going to acquire Deandre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic from the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns have been interested in trading Ayton throughout the offseason after matching his four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers during the 2022 summer.

"It became kind of clear that Ayton was going to go to Portland," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "It just depended on what the package was going to be, depending on what other third team Portland [traded Lillard to].

"I think the Ayton/Nurkic trade was agreed to... what do you think Bontemps? Seven to 14 days ago?"

"I mean I don't know when it was agreed to, but it certainly had been floating out there in the ether for a while," replied Tim Bontemps.

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