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Former Arizona Basketball star Deandre Ayton gets Traded

By Eric Townsend

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 129-124. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 129-124. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Following a career marred with mixed feelings with the Phoenix Suns, former Arizona Basketball star Deandre Ayton has been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

In a stunning turn of events, former Arizona Basketball star and the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick, Deandre Ayton, has been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Making news on Wednesday afternoon, the blockbuster trade broke via social media, and it sent shockwaves throughout the NBA community and has left fans buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

https://x.com/trailblazers/status/1707221414762422685?s=20

The trade sent Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers and is a major shake-up in the NBA landscape as Damian Lillard now heads to Milwaukee and the Suns received a package that included multiple draft picks, young players, and an established veteran in Jusuf Nurkić.

This move signaled the Trail Blazers’ commitment to building for the future, meanwhile, the Suns received valuable assets to continue contributing to a team looking to make a deep playoff run.

For Suns fans, it means the Ayton Era in Phoenix is officially over.

The trade of Former Arizona Basketball star Deandre Ayton means a new chapter and a new start in his young career.

While Ayton mostly thrived in Phoenix, the trade comes with a bit of mixed reviews and feelings. For some, they felt Ayton never reached or played to his potential, meanwhile, others, claim it’s because of how the league is using centers differently, and Ayton was never truly a focal point of that team during his career.

The change of scenery and the opportunity to take on a bigger role may have been strong motivators behind this decision, and by joining the Trail Blazers, Deandre will have a chance to showcase his skills and essentially hit restart on his career.

As Deandre dons a new jersey and takes the court in the Rose City, Arizona Basketball fans will be watching closely. His journey from Arizona to the NBA has been filled with promise, and now, in Portland, he has a chance to fulfill that promise and let his career blossom further!

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