From Forgotten to Feared: Ayton Poised for Career Revival with Warriors
After a rocky stint in Portland and an underwhelming end in Phoenix, Deandre Ayton is reportedly finalizing a buyout—and the Golden State Warriors might be the perfect destination for the former No. 1 pick.
This is the same Ayton who once looked like the prototype for the modern big man.
✅ First overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft
✅ A consistent 18 points and 10 rebounds per night
✅ A key defensive anchor on a Finals team in 2021
But things didn’t pan out the way many expected. In Phoenix, he never fully clicked with the Suns’ core. In Portland, he got lost in the rebuild. Yet now, with a fresh start looming, the Bay Area could offer him exactly what he needs—and what the Warriors are quietly searching for.
Golden State doesn’t need a savior. They need a contributor. A piece. A player who can plug into the existing system and thrive within its structure—not hijack it. Ayton, with his size, mobility, and touch around the rim, could be that guy. Surrounded by the high IQ minds of Steph Curry and Draymond Green, Ayton wouldn’t have to carry the offensive burden. Instead, he’d benefit from the space, motion, and ball movement that Golden State thrives on.
Imagine Steph-Ayton pick-and-rolls. Draymond threading slick bounce passes to him on backdoor cuts. Kevon Looney mentoring him and eventually handing over the reins. This is the kind of ecosystem that turns careers around. Just ask Andrew Wiggins.
For Warriors fans, this isn’t about chasing stars or mortgaging the future. We don’t need to trade away our young core for a flashy name that may or may not bring a title. We need smart, calculated moves. And Ayton, at the right price, is exactly that.
GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Don’t let it pass. For the culture. For the fans. For the future.
