Suns middle Deandre Ayton will stay in Phoenix after his group matched a 4-year, $133 million provide sheet from the Indiana Pacers, brokers Invoice Duffy and Nima Namakian advised ESPN.
Ayton had been in search of a rookie max extension from the Suns after his robust efficiency in the course of the 2021 playoffs that took the group to a Finals loss in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nonetheless, the Suns didn’t provide Ayton a brand new contract and would have misplaced the 2018 Draft No. 1 decide if they didn’t match the Pacers’ provide.
Phoenix will now have to carry on to Ayton till January 15 and cannot commerce him for a full yr with out Ayton’s consent.
The transfer foreseeably takes Phoenix out of the hunt for Kevin Durant, who listed the Suns as his first selection for a commerce.
Ayton was a member of the All-Rookie first group in 2019 and averaged 17.2 factors, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists final season for the Suns, who completed with one of the best report of the common season.
Their playoff collection loss to the Dallas Mavericks was not solely disappointing but in addition uncovered a potential rift between Ayton and coach Monty Williams.
Throughout the Suns’ Recreation 7 loss to the Mavs, Ayton spent many of the second half on the bench.
When requested throughout postgame feedback about Ayton sitting, Suns coach Monty Williams stated, “It’s inside,” whereas Ayton refused to talk with the media after the sport.
Ayton’s fellow class of 2018 draftees, Atlanta Hawk Trae Younger, Maverick Luka Doncic, OKC Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Denver Nuggets Michael Porter Jr., all signed max offers.
The Phoenix middle was eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension, making the Suns’ match of Indiana’s provide appear that much less spectacular for Ayton.
Final season’s coach of the yr, Williams, could have a fair harder job this season getting Ayton on board to battle what can be a fair stronger Western Convention.
