Deandre Ayton trade reaction: Suns include star in Damian Lillard deal with Bucks, Blazers

The Phoenix Suns have traded Deandre Ayton after months of speculation, putting the center in a deal that sees Damian Lillard end up with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Phoenix also gave up rookie Toumani Camara in the trade, which was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday.

The Suns are acquiring the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson and the Bucks’ Grayson Allen in the deal, according to Wojnarowski. Ayton and Camara are headed to Portland.

Did the Suns get better with the trade?

Phoenix Suns fans appeared to have mixed thoughts on trading Ayton on social media, judging by early reaction to the team’s deal.

Damian Lillard trade grades: Did Suns, Bucks or Blazers win trade involving Deandre Ayton?

Lillard goes Milwaukee as part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers. Phoenix lands Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. https://t.co/Ge0H91AiIA

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023

Ayton for nurkic is crazy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

— BronMuse (@BronMuse) September 27, 2023

I know KD just threw his phone on the floor with this one

— 😮‍💨™️ (@GoodBeanCoco) September 27, 2023

Whoa….figured the Suns would move on Ayton, didn’t see this deal happening!

— Chris Campasano (@chriscampasano) September 27, 2023

Looks like they wanted more roster depth and flexibility

— Jared Terhune (@JTerhoo) September 27, 2023

This is so terrible for the Suns 😭😭💔💔

— Basketballismyreligion (@basketballimr) September 27, 2023

So many frustrating moments with Ayton in big games, I am way more excited about Grayson/Beal/Booker.

— Joseph Gutierrez (@gutierreee) September 27, 2023

Jusuf is a better fit + badly needed depth. Perfect trade for them.

— Ain’tNoExpert (@tnoexpert) September 27, 2023

To get rid of Ayton! It was a brilliant move. They actually got assets for something that was worthless.

— Ƥαυℓ ♥️🐝 (@ghoti00) September 27, 2023

Typical Ishbia W. Getting rid of that Ayton contract is an A+

— MSU Chief of Propaganda (@OdellBretthamJr) September 27, 2023

just made the suns and bucks way better and made their own team wayyy worse. those picks are gonna be worth nothing.

— 🇵🇷🇱🇧卄丨卂ㄥ乇ㄖ🇩🇴🇨🇺 (@HiaLeo) September 27, 2023

What’s your reaction to the Suns trading Deandre Ayton?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton trade brings mixed social media reaction