Ayton and Doncic are still jockeying for the No. 1 spot, but Ayton gives the Suns something they desperately lack: a franchise big. Neither Dragan Bender nor Marquese Chriss have lived up to expectations, so adding somebody with Ayton’s upside makes sense.
Defense has been an issue for Ayton this year, but he has the tools needed to reverse that trend at the next level. He’ll need to improve his awareness and effort in certain spots, but anybody with his physical tools has clear-cut potential on that side of the ball.
Offensively, Ayton is ready to contribute right away. He’s a polished scorer in the post who’s capable of making advanced passes and spacing the floor out to the college 3-point line, if not further.