DeAndre Ayton had a five-year stint with the Phoenix Suns where he got to play with Devin Booker and Chris Paul. He was an integral part of the Suns team that won the Western Conference and played against the Milwaukee Bucks for the title and lost. A lot has changed since then, be it at the coaching front or the roster itself, the Suns are a new team. And this off-season, Ayton was shipped out to Portland for Jusuf Nurkic in a three-team deal involving Jrue Holiday.

Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton faced each other in their preseason opener. Booker was so impressed with the Portland Trail Blazers’ talent that he had a message for Ayton.

CP3 arrives at Phoenix

Devin Booker had seen Ayton at his finest hour. He knows what this athletic center could do for the team. That’s why he wants Ayton to help the young Portland Trail Blazers with the knowledge that he has gained playing alongside him and Chris Paul.

With the arrival of Chris Paul, the Suns saw Ayton turn into his best version. CP3 has the old school point guard approach, and he stays locked in with his center. That has definitely helped Ayton get over the hump.

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DeAndre Ayton’s biggest moment with Phoenix came in the first finals game against the Bucks when he had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 19 rebounds. Tim Duncan is the only other player to accomplish this feat.

Expectations of a No.1 Pick

The Suns have never gotten a No.1 Lottery pick until DeAndre Ayton. As with every top draft pick, a lot was expected out of Ayton. He was supposed to become a franchise player along with Devin Booker. However, it was not meant to be. He had his struggles, and at one time he was even suspended by the league for having diuretics in his body.

Ayton and the Suns were drifting apart. While he and coach Monty Williams also had a rough time, their public spat in the playoff game 7 against Dallas stirred quite a controversy.

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Two unhappy parties should not have continued this long, and this divorce was eminent. But let’s hope both the Suns and DeAndre Ayton begin this new season with a renewed vigour and perspective.