One of the most intriguing storylines of the NBA this offseason will be the free agency of Deandre Ayton. Ayton is heading into restricted free agency because he and the Phoenix Suns were unable to work out a deal.
Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, was seeking a max rookie extension. It was the same deal that Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Michael Porter Jr. While not an All-Star, it was not an unreasonable ask by Ayton, especially after he performed well throughout the 2021 NBA Postseason.
Phoenix Suns ownership didn’t see him as a max player and didn’t budge on their stance. As a result, no deal was made and Ayton is heading into free agency this summer in hopes of landing that max deal.
However, we almost didn’t even get to this point. It has been revealed that the Suns were actually gauging trade interest in Ayton at the deadline this year.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Free Agency Destinations For Suns’ Deandre Ayton
The Indiana Pacers were one team that they had discussions with and Domantas Sabonis would have been a player included in the deal.
“The Suns then quietly gauged his trade value in February, sources told B/R, including one structure with Indiana that featured Domantas Sabonis.”
Trade talks involving Ayton could be had again this offseason, but it will have to be a different framework as Domantas Sabonis is no longer with the Indiana Pacers. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings at the deadline in a deal that netted Indiana Tyrese Haliburton, their new face of the franchise at the point guard position.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Free Agency Destinations For Suns’ Deandre Ayton
The Suns will likely engage in some trade talks centered around Ayton in the coming weeks as well. As a restricted free agent, Phoenix can match any offer sheet that Ayton signs. With such a limited number of teams projected to have cap space, sign-and-trade scenarios will likely be on the table.
The Phoenix Suns would prefer to keep Deandre Ayton, but they seemingly have a price they will not go above. If he receives an offer that is beyond that, they will try and acquire as much value in a return package as they can.