The Deandre Ayton saga finally came to an end this past week after months of speculation. The Suns had failed to agree on an extension with the big man last year, and it was more of the same this time around, with the relationship also seemingly souring between the two parties over time.
Phoenix did try to strike a trade deal for Ayton this offseason, but they failed to find one and once the Indiana Pacers offered him a 4-year, $133 million contract, they were left with no choice but to match it. Letting their number 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft leave for nothing would have been a disaster for the Suns, and they were very quick to match that offer. Ayton, for his part, expressed his delight at finally getting the big deal he wanted and stated that he is ready to get back to work while also sending a special message to the fans.
PHOENIX! I grew up here, got drafted here, had my son here. We have the best fans in the world.
I’m ready to get back to work with my brothers. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/KlCSui0M6z
— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) July 19, 2022
They say all is well that ends well, and with this contract talk finally, behind them, the two sides can hopefully work towards a better future. The Suns had seemed destined for success this past season as they blew away the competition in the regular season, but it ended disastrously for them.
Maybe things would have been sorted out smoothly between Ayton and the team if they had gone on to win the title, but the situation would have gotten much worse after they suffered a humiliating exit in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Mavericks. It had seemed like Ayton’s exit was almost inevitable after that, and when Kevin Durant named Phoenix as a preferred destination, it seemed like the writing was on the wall.
Now, with this extension in his back pocket, Ayton isn’t going anywhere for a while as he can’t be traded till January 15th and has veto power on any trade for a whole year. He’ll be hoping that it doesn’t come to that and that he can help the team right the wrongs of this past season in 2022-23.
