Slow down everyone, former Wildcat Deandre Ayton is not a bust

After having played in just two games in his second season in the NBA, critics are in full troll mode, questioning whether Deandre Ayton is a bust.

If you’ve been paying attention to the Phoenix Suns at all the past six seasons, it’s been pretty rough watching a once prestigious organization go just a combined 185-338 since 2013-14. However, there was hope especially as they drafted former Wildcat Deandre Ayton No. 1 overall.

In his first season, despite the team going an atrocious 19-63, Ayton was one of the few bright spots, averaging 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in just 71 games played. He also shot an impressive 58.5 percent from the field.

Arizona Wildcats

All the more impressive, was that Ayton did this without playing with a true point guard. But nonetheless, some were still questioning his motor, effort and ability, especially as the rookie finished third in the ‘Rookie of the Year’ voting.

Coming into this year, expectations were certainly high and rightfully so, especially as Ayton had a true point guard in Ricky Rubio to work with, he was another year older, and there were more pieces around him. What could go wrong?

Even after the first game, things looked incredibly promising, especially as he finished the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. However, an unexpected suspension kicked in that sort of derailed some things.

Deandre would sit out an agonizing 25 games before returning against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he would score another 18 points, while grabbing 12 rebounds. But now Ayton is out again, this time with an ankle sprain.

The news is aggravating, especially as Ayton has played in just two games this year, and the team has now lost its eighth-straight game following Friday’s loss to Golden State.

But through all of this, you’re starting to see the internet trolls come out in full force, calling Ayton a bust. Really? A bust!

I know Suns fans are frustrated, because Ayton has barely played this year and the team has been floundering of late, but NBA busts don’t average 16.4 points and 10.3 rebounds in their career, especially when those players haven’t even played a full season yet and are just barely scratching the surface of their potential.

Comparatively speaking, Ayton had a rookie season similar or even better than some other great NBA players like; Tim Duncan, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, etc. Giving up now would be disastrous for the Suns, but also costly.

As it stands, Ayton makes just over nine million per year, and compared to some of the leagues’ other top centers, he’s incredibly cheap. Phoenix doesn’t have that kind of cap space to bring in a center like Towns, plus it’s too early to give up on Ayton.

People also need to be patient and wait until Ayton comes back. Let’s see what he can do with a full season, or better what he can the rest of this season!

At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping that Ayton can come back and silence the critics, but also hope he can have a healthy career! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!