Oddsmakers consider Spurs a threat to sign Deandre Ayton

Oddsmakers are starting to see the San Antonio Spurs as contenders for some big free agent names.

As one of only a few teams that can offer a max contract and starring role to Zach LaVine, we've already reported on how that could be an advantage for San Antonio this summer. After the Suns' flameout in the NBA Playoffs, Deandre Ayton has now emerged as a name that could be on the move as well.

Recently, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported Phoenix might hesitate to match a max offer if given to their starting center. As a result of growing uncertainty, oddsmakers are now showing people believe another team could snatch him up.

Reporting for BasketballNews.com, Alex Kennedy recently listed the Spurs as having the third-best odds of landing Ayton this offseason if he moves on from Phoenix. The data comes from SportsBetting.ag and shows the Detroit Pistons as the favorites with +150 odds. They're followed by the Indiana Pacers at +300 and San Antonio Spurs at +450.

The rest of the odds, as of Monday, were as follows:

• Orlando Magic: +500
• Portland Trail Blazers: +550
• Houston Rockets: +1000
• Chicago Bulls: +1100
• Oklahoma City Thunder: +1200

The Pursuer pool will likely be deep

Given his young age and progress so far, it's likely Ayton will have several suitors this summer, and we can't rule out the possibility of a sign-and-trade by the Phoenix Suns if they feel like he wants to move on. Nothing would be worse for them than letting him walk for nothing.

That fact opens up many more possibilities for Deandre will ultimately land and shrinks the Spurs' chances. Still, there has been enough smoke around San Antonio to indicate there could at least be the possibility of an eventful chase, and it's starting to look like others feel the same way.