Former No. 1 Pick Emerges As Surprise Free Agency Target for Suns

The Phoenix Suns are hopeful they already have their long-term center in 2025 first-round pick Khaman Maluach.

However, Maluach may still be a few seasons away from assuming the role of full-time starter. He averaged just 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks on 53.3% shooting in 8.9 minutes per game as a rookie. 

With Mark Williams hitting restricted free agency, the Suns do have the option to match any contract he's offered. Although, Phoenix could decide to let him walk and opt for a cheaper option.

That's where former Suns No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton could potentially enter the picture. SBNation's Bright Side of the Sun linked Ayton to a reunion with the Suns in a recent article.

It's worth noting Ayton has a player-option for the 2026-2027 season.

Ayton has spent the last three seasons away from Phoenix, as for two years he played with the Portland Trail Blazers and most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In that three-year span, the 27-year-old has regressed.

He went from averaging 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds in his first campaign with the Trail Blazers to recording 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game with the Lakers this season.

The best years of his career were spent in Phoenix, so the Suns could gamble on him returning to that form. It would be a low-risk, high-reward move for the organization. Given the Suns could offer him a starting job, Ayton could be tempted to return, as it's hard to imagine a handful of teams providing him that same opportunity.

Ayton does not come without flaws, however.

His effort and defensive ability have been questioned in the past, which could be exploited by the Western Conference's slew of dominant centers. But having Maluach, who is praised for his defensive prowess, to come off the bench could help hide Ayton's woes.

Signing Ayton to a short-term deal is by no means a bad idea, but if Williams can be retained at the right cost, that should be the Suns' priority in the frontcourt.

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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of SunsRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.