Deandre Ayton Says Goodbye To Phoenix With Heartfelt Message

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Unlike what some fans might think, the Phoenix Suns didn’t make a mistake when they drafted Deandre Ayton.

He had thrived there in high school and was a local hero after his days at the University of Arizona, and his game justified him going so high in the NBA Draft.

Of course, one could argue that Luka Doncic and Trae Young are both better players, but that’s just the way it goes in the draft.

Ayton didn’t always live up to the task, but it would be unfair to say that everything about his tenure in Phoenix was negative.

That’s why he took some time to bid farewell to the city, the fans, and the organization, thanking them for all the support through thick and thin, and showing his excitement about the next chapter of his career.

Phoenix,
Grateful for the journey…for the people who supported me, cheered me on, challenged me & helped me grow. To the fans, teammates, coaches, staff, thank you. All love for the valley

Portland,
LETS GO! Ready for the next chapter…excited to be a Trailblazer #RipCity pic.twitter.com/XILcPReD7U

— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) September 29, 2023

The issue with Ayton is that he wasn’t able to sustain that level of defensive production he showed in the season they made it to the NBA Finals.

He didn’t see eye-to-eye with coach Monty Williams, and his blatant and evident lack of effort, especially after signing a big contract, was exasperating from time to time.

But he’s just 25 years old and was the best prospect in the game not so long ago.

He might not be a superstar, but not every player has to be one.

The Portland Trail Blazers have an up-and-coming and very talented lineup, and maybe all he needed was a fresh start somewhere else to live up to this potential.

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