The Suns are rumored to be set on drafting DeAndre Ayton No. 1.
He apparently buys it.
Ayton worked out with Phoenix on Wednesday, and that will apparently be his last workout.
Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports 98.7:He said he’ll work out for “no one else.”
“I know I’m going number one,” he added.
It wasn’t because the Suns told him he’ll be drafted first. General manager Ryan McDonough said the team will continue working out potential No. 1 picks through Sunday.
“Nobody told me (I’ll go first),” Ayton said. “That’s just me. I think I deserve that. I’ve worked hard.
There’s plenty to like about the Arizona center. I doubt he slips past No. 2, even if this was his only workout. He’s the type of talent teams will covet, even without a workout.
I wonder whether the Kings holding the No. 2 pick influences Ayton’s plan. They’re not far removed from top prospects avoiding them, and reputations are hard to shake.
If Ayton senses Phoenix might not draft him, he can always work out elsewhere. This bravado is non-binding.
But if the Suns fulfil his proclamation, Sacramento faces a choice. At one point, word was the Kings would pick Ayton or Luka Doncic, whomever Phoenix didn’t. There has since been talk Sacramento could pass on Doncic, maybe for Marvin Bagley or Jaren Jackson Jr.