After a brief scare, restricted free agent Deandre Ayton is headed back to Phoenix, returning to the team that drafted him first overall in 2018. The Suns had two days to match Indiana’s four-year, $133-million offer, but Phoenix saved us all the suspense, signing Ayton hours later.
Ayton didn’t get the max deal he coveted, but the largest offer sheet in NBA history is a pretty good consolation prize. So is veto power over any proposed trade, putting Ayton in the proverbial driver’s seat as the Suns continue to flesh out their roster, hoping and praying that Kevin Durant might fall in their lap. Further complicating matters, Ayton, who would assuredly be part of the return package for Durant, can’t be traded until January 15th.
Under league rules, Ayton can’t be dealt to Indiana for a full calendar year, meaning the Pacers will likely proceed with Myles Turner as their starting big. Ayton and the Suns didn’t end last season on the best terms, with the 6’11” center benched for much of Game 7 of the Western Conference semis (which Phoenix would ultimately lose to Dallas) following what appeared to be a sideline tantrum.
The 23-year-old had been looking for a fresh start, determined to prove his worth elsewhere after the Suns declined to offer him a max extension. Ayton may still carry that resentment with him, though if the Suns’ relationship with him can be salvaged, extending a $133-million olive branch isn’t a bad place to start.
They say winning cures all and the Suns did plenty of that last year, cruising to a league-best 64-18 regular-season record. Ayton was a major part of their success, averaging a double-double (17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds per game) while shooting a career-high 63.4 percent from the floor.
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