Deandre Ayton is coming off a huge year with the Phoenix Suns. Not only did he help them make the NBA Finals but also, he made great strides as a defender and anchored the paint for them.
His offensive potential was clear since he made it to the NBA and his newfound defensive skills and youth make him one of the most promising payers in the league.
That’s why most people would assume that the Suns wouldn’t hesitate to offer him a max rookie extension. But, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, that doesn’t seem to be the case:
(Transcript via ESPN)
“Ayton, a key part of the Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals, has no intention of accepting a deal less than the comparable max contracts signed by several of his 2018 NBA draft classmates, including Atlanta’s Trae Young, Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Michael Porter Jr., sources told ESPN.
Ayton, 23, is eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension, with escalators that could reach $207 million — a deal that many executives leaguewide expected would be complete in short order this offseason. But now, with a looming Oct. 18 deadline for rookie extensions, sources said the talks between the Suns and Ayton’s representatives have been slowed by ownership’s current assertion that Ayton doesn’t deserve to be included in that group of players — and a belief by the 7-footer that his performance, his potential and the marketplace dictate that he does.”
Should the team and Ayton not reach an agreement, the former Arizona standout could test restricted free agency next summer. Even so, the Suns would have the right to match any offer for him.
In reality, Ayton could be a max-contract player but maybe, the league’s shift towards the perimeter and how some traditional bigs are becoming obsolete could make the Suns doubt that.
Hopefully, they’ll be able to come to an agreement rather sooner than later, as that core of Ayton, Devin Booker, and Mikal Bridges could be very good for a long time.
