The Phoenix Suns’ inability to work out a contract extension with Deandre Ayton is going to have some ripple effects. Not only is the future uncertain now when it comes to their center position, but they are also going to have to compete with other teams to retain him this upcoming NBA offseason.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, was seeking a max contract extension from the Suns. Suns’ ownership, led by Robert Sarver, did not believe that Ayton was worth the max money he was seeking.
As other players from the 2018 draft class received deals, Ayton waited for his. His teammates, Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet, both worked out four-year extensions with the team. Ultimately, the Suns walked away from the negotiating table, making Ayton a restricted free agent next summer.
The Suns are taking a huge risk allowing Ayton to hit restricted free agency. He is the first No. 1 overall pick to not sign an extension since Anthony Bennett, who was the first selection in the 2013 NBA Draft.
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The only saving grace for Phoenix is that not a lot of teams, as currently situated, are projected to have max salary cap space. However, there is one team, the San Antonio Spurs, that could make a run at him.
Evan Sidery, a national NBA reporter and Suns beat reporter for Basketball News, believes the Spurs stand out as an immediate contender in the impending Ayton sweepstakes.
San Antonio currently has Jakob Poeltl as their starting center and he is under contract through 2023. He and Ayton would make a very formidable duo at the five spot for the Spurs, who could be staring down a rebuild with Gregg Popovich nearing the end of the line.
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Deandre Ayton would help the San Antonio Spurs immediately, but also provide a foundational piece for their long-term outlook. Only 23-years old, he has plenty of time to continue developing into the dominant center that he showed he could be during the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals.
