There has been no progress between the Suns and Deandre Ayton on a new contract, and a sign-and-trade appears to be the most likely outcome, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on Sports Center (video link).
Ayton is a restricted free agent, giving Phoenix the opportunity to match any offer he receives, but that’s unlikely to happen, according to Woj. He explains that the Suns don’t value Ayton as a max contract player, but other teams do, which means that’s what he’ll likely receive when free agency begins Thursday afternoon.
Although he doesn’t mention any specific teams, Wojnarowski cites “several” potential destinations for Ayton on a max deal, with the Suns receiving some combination of players, draft picks and cap flexibility in return.
There’s more on the free agent market:
- With Ivica Zubac‘s extension and an expected deal with John Wall out of the way, re-signing Nicolas Batum will be a priority for the Clippers, writes Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. Greif notes that Batum is very loyal to the organization and has turned down offers from other teams over the past two years to stay in L.A.
- Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon will likely compete for a two-way contract if the Clippers decide to re-sign them, Greif adds in the same piece. The team plans to give one of its two-way slots to second-round pick Moussa Diabate.
- The Rockets have interest in bringing back free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko notes that Hartenstein, who started his career in Houston in 2018, is only 24 and fits well with the team’s current roster.
- Kris Dunn and Pierriá Henry attended a Wizards mini-camp this week in hopes of winning a roster spot on a team searching for point guards, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Henry is an accomplished player in the EuroLeague, while Dunn, a lottery pick in 2016, is hoping to prove that he’s healthy after missing most of the past two seasons with injuries. “I feel like over the last two years, I didn’t have a leg, almost,” Dunn said. “Over the last couple of months, I’ve been doing a lot of rehab, and everything’s starting to work out perfectly.”
Myles Turner for Ayton
Suns get the perfect replacement.
Cheaper and in his prime and ready to win.
Great skill set, 3 and D centre with Elite rim protection and playing with CP3 will shine. Should fit in well in the locker room and after CP3 retires still fits the timeline of Booker and Bridges etc
For the Pacers Ayton is younger and has more potential. Fits the timeline with Tyrese Haliburton perfectly and together those two would be foundational pieces.
IMO is a really good outcome of the situation for both sides. The thing is im not sure IND wants to compete right now…
It wouldn’t be a move to compete it’s adding a new foundation player. The plan is still rebuild, get young talent, picks etc
I would prefer Poeltl if I had a choice… Spurs, Pacers & Pistons are the choices for Ayton I think… Turner’s 3s are not accurate enough to go-to. He has more blocks but fewer assists. And Turner has not played the 5 solo like he would in Phoenix, so there may be an unknown issue there.
Of course, what are the Spurs trying to do now, is the question.
What is the number for a max offer for Ayton?
Based on the latest projections, a $30.9MM starting salary.
Up to five years, $179.3MM with the Suns, or four years, $132.9MM with another team.
I’m beginning to wonder if Ayton has overplayed his hand. The only obvious suitors remaining with cap space are the Spurs and Pacers. His only leverage is to sign the QO which would be incredibly risky. If the Suns offer 4/110, he has to really consider the cost/benefit of turning that down to sign the QO.
I think PHO are the ones who overplayed their hand here, if he goes they need to get an even better center than him to compete… & that will cost them more than keeping him… so it seems a losing situation all around for the Suns!
The max offer from another team is 4/136