When the Phoenix Suns drafted Deandre Ayton first overall in 2018, it seemed like a match made in heaven. The Suns were in need of an elite big man and Ayton, who had gone to high school as well as college in Arizona, seemed like the perfect fit from every possible angle.
Things got off to a good start as Ayton proved to be a double-double machine from the get-go and was named into the All-Rookie First Team. Team success would follow soon too once Chris Paul arrived as the Suns went to the NBA Finals in Ayton’s third season but there was trouble brewing behind the scenes. He desired a max contract as a reward for his play but the Suns didn’t feel the same way. Ayton had shown that he is a pretty good player, but he is far from great and the franchise wasn’t going to pay him like one.
The two sides failed to agree on a deal last year which made Ayton a restricted free agent this summer and it took the Indiana Pacers offering him the 4-year, $133 million deal for the Suns to finally match it and give him the kind of money he wanted.
NBA Fans Think Deandre Ayton Is Not Happy To Be in Phoenix
Ayton was back in Phoenix but after all that had transpired, it’s not a surprise that he isn’t too thrilled about being with the team. His relationship with head coach Monty Williams has come under a lot of scrutiny and Ayton revealed during their media day that he hadn’t spoken to Monty since their Game 7 loss to the Mavericks. The big man didn’t particularly seem in good spirits, in general, throughout media day as you can imagine.
Deandre Ayton doesn’t seem too happy to be in Phoenix 😬
(Via @GeraldBourguet | h/t @AhnFireDigital )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 27, 2022
NBA fans reacted to Ayton’s demeanor, and they were certain that he isn’t interested in being with the team.
“They didn’t appreciate him and pay him the max. Why he gotta act like he care to be there “
“He wanted to be on the Pacers and was forced to be on another team I’d be mad too “
“trade him he doesn’t wanna be there”
“this is such a bad look”
“He is pissed off because they matched the offer from the Indiana Pacers”
“‘I’m aiight.’ He f***in pissed. “
“get that man to Indiana already”
“Expression says it all, he DIDN’T want Phoenix to match that offer sheet. He wanted out.”
“Ok, forget anything anyone said about Bron, AD and Russ’ “body language” yesterday. THIS is a guy who doesn’t want to be there.”
“Na bro that team is cooked “
“Oh nah the guy hates it there “
“Bro wants out ASAP “
“He wants to be in Indy so badly”
“Free this man smh”
“When you don’t feel welcome somewhere “
“It’s almost like people generally aren’t happy to be told they’re unwanted somewhere & then end up stuck there.”
“Bro said I’m alright “
“This man doesn’t want to be there. And he shouldn’t be. He chose Indy and now he’s stuck”
“Phoenix completely mishandled his free agency”
“The extension happened like a month ago and he’s still depressed about it “
It is hard to not come away with the conclusion that he is not happy to be back. Ayton had no choice but to return once the Suns matched Indiana’s offer and it doesn’t look like he is going to pretend like everything is okay now. His attitude while filming a promotion for the team is worrying for fans as well.
https://twitter.com/BALLYSPORTSAZ/status/1574836625766584348
As a fan put it earlier, the Suns have completely mishandled this whole situation. He was their first overall pick, and they have managed to alienate him in such a short period of time. A max for Ayton would have been an overpay but you have to do it at times instead of dragging the situation on forever.
It will be very interesting to see how Ayton performs next season as the Suns look to bounce back after that stunning exit in the Conference Semifinals against the Mavericks. They looked far and away the best team in the NBA last season before that collapse and all the drama surrounding the team this offseason is far from ideal as they hope to go all the way this time.
