Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns were able to close the book on an interesting saga regarding Deandre Ayton’s free agency status. After having been rumored to be unwilling to sign him to his maximum eligible extension, it was surmised that the Suns could have lost him in free agency or at least signed and traded him to another team.

Ultimately, the Indiana Pacers proposed a max offer sheet for Ayton and Phoenix quickly matched the offer and retained him using his restricted free agency rights.

Even though he’s now under contract with the Phoenix Suns for the next four years, he could still be suiting up for another team at some point next season. Retaining him simply means that they wanted to hold onto the asset, not necessarily that they value him as a player for their future.

Signing a center of Whiteside’s capabilities makes trading Ayton away an easier pill to swallow. Chris Paul has been known to elevate the play of pick-and-roll partners, and Whiteside could experience a late-career explosion playing alongside one of the most gifted passers of all time.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Updates On Late-Free Agency News

Even if Ayton stays in Phoenix, the Suns could use a more reliable backup for him than Bismack Biyombo now that JaVale McGee has signed on with the Dallas Mavericks.