Eubanks to fill Ayton’s voids at center for the Suns

With the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns chose University of Arizona’s Deandre Ayton. After five years with the franchise, the team is still waiting for the 25-year-old to have his much anticipated breakout season and are unsure of his dedication to the team. 

As a part of the Suns’ heavy offseason moves, the team acquired Drew Eubanks from Portland under a two-year deal with a player option. In his two previous seasons with the Trail Blazers, Eubanks averaged 8.4 points and 6 rebounds per game. 

At center, Eubanks is a good addition to the Sun’s team and a solid backup to Ayton. Last season, Ayton missed 15 games averaging 18 points, 1.7 assists and 10 rebounds per game. Eubanks missed only four games last season with the Blazers.

Eubanks came at the perfect time for the Phoenix after it was reported that the Suns were “tired” of Ayton. 

“The organizational discontent, impatience, eye rolling with Ayton…go way beyond Monty Williams,” Zach Lowe said on the Lowe Post Podcast. “There’s a lot of people in that organization that are tired of Deandre Ayton.”

Last season, former head coach Monty Williams benched Ayton during the second round of the playoffs, citing internal reasons. This came after the two were seen in a verbal altercation on the sideline during a December game.

The addition of Eubanks can provide the Sun with some space for improved reliability and commitment in their center position.

The Sun’s are actively in the hunt for a championship after acquiring Bradley Beal in the offseason to add to their star-core of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. A championship run that does not have Ayton at its core of priorities.