The Pacers and Phoenix Suns had brief dialogue around Sabonis and Deandre Ayton, multiple sources say. It did not get far, sources say, and may have been mostly informal and broadly exploratory -- and aimed at the future rather than anything now.

Source: Zach Lowe/ESPN

ANALYSIS: Ayton is going to be a restriced free agent this offseason for Phoenix. This certainly would have been another league-shaking trade, though Sabonis was ultimately dealt to Sacramento in a blockbuster move. Lowe emphasized in his reporting that no formal offer was made by either team. Ayton is averaging 16.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season and has averaged a double-double in each of his four NBA seasons to date.