Apr 19, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) against the New Orleans Pelicans during game two of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns keep the rights to Deandre Ayton after the Indiana Pacers tried to sign him by offering a max contract.
The Phoenix Suns will be keeping their center Deandre Ayton after they were put under heavy pressure by the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers offered a max contract to Deandre Ayton, which shook the entire league.
The Suns needed Ayton for various purposes. He is an important player for them, and furthermore, his name was brought up in the discussion of a trade package for Kevin Durant.
As of now, Ayton will be staying with the team that drafted him in 2018. The former no. 1 pick was in search of a max contract, and he has finally got it.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic: The Phoenix Suns have matched the Indiana Pacers’ four-year, $133 million maximum offer sheet on Deandre Ayton, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ayton stays in Phoenix.
“The Suns made clear throughout free agency that the franchise intended to bring Ayton back – and were committed to spend in order to continue competing for a title around All-NBA star Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Ayton. Phoenix now goes approximately $15M into the tax.”
The Indiana Pacers went all in for Deandre Ayton but unfortunately, they couldn’t have him. Ayton would have been a good fit for the Pacers alongside Tyrese Haliburton.
The Pacers have a very young core that is looking very promising. Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte will hope to have a great season up ahead, and their rookies will also look to make a significant impact in what is a rebuilding era in Indiana.
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