Report: Suns to explore Ayton's trade market in offseason

Deandre Ayton's tenure as a Phoenix Sun may be coming to an end.

The franchise is expected to aggressively explore the former No. 1 pick's trade market this offseason, sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Several teams are expected to be interested in trading for Ayton, reports MacMahon.

The Suns were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals for the second straight season, this time losing in six games to the Denver Nuggets. The team was without Ayton due to a rib injury.

"I love Phoenix. I want to continue playing hard for Phoenix," Ayton said during his exit interview on Friday. "I don't listen to that outside noise. I'm here, I'm happy. We didn't finish off the season the way we wanted to but there's always next year."

The 24-year-old averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game in his fifth NBA season.

Ayton signed a four-year, $133-million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers last offseason, but the Suns matched it.

Point guard Chris Paul could be another player potentially on the move, MacMahon adds. The veteran currently only has $15.8 million of his $30.8-million salary guaranteed for next season, with the full amount set to be guaranteed June 28, according to Spotrac.