“This is business” Deandre Ayton regards unorthodox Phoenix Suns’ $133 Million offer as a ‘blessing’
Follow Us
Deandre Ayton of Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was an intriguing free agent this offseason, and Indiana Pacers looked to secure his services by offering him their max contract. But Western Conference giants Phoenix Suns had a chance to match that offer and they didn’t waste time to match the contract, keeping him at Arizona for 4 more seasons. The 23-year-old star said that he gained generational wealth that can help his family and many others after signing a four-year, $133 million maximum contract extension to return to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. But there was also a business lesson involved, too, for the young center as the contract initially came via a matched offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers.
Deandre Ayton told ESPN’s Landscape in a phone conversation after signing his contract. “This contract not only has generational impact for my family, but also with the way we are able to work in the Phoenix community and home in the Bahamas. That is the things that we go by.”
Ayton continued, “I’ve come to understand that this is a business. So, I was more anxious to know the end of the result so I could focus, move on and just get back to work. I just treated everything like a business. Just keep being professional approach everything with professionalism and not looking too deep into it.”
Young Deandre Ayton is developing into a megastar for Phoenix Suns
The 2018 draft’s 1st overall pick has been a sensational star for Phoenix Suns. In 4 seasons with the Suns, he maintained his average of 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. Ayton and the Suns made back-to-back playoffs once they signed an experienced Chris Paul. Ayton was phenomenal at helping the suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals in his very 1st postseason.
The trio of ‘Paul-Booker-Ayton’ commanded the Western Conference and were the top team throughout the 2022 season, but sadly they couldn’t finish off the season with the franchise’s 1st ever title. After completing his rookie contract, he was a free agent but the franchise had the chance to match any max offer for their future star. The Suns could have offered Ayton a five-year deal paying $179.6 million on July 1 but did not. Instead, the “anxious” restricted free agent signed the four-year, $133 million max offer sheet with the Pacers on July 12. Suns had July 14 to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history but ended up matching it as soon as they received it.
Phoenix general manager James Jones said he told Ayton through the entire free agency process that he planned to re-sign him, including during a video-conference on July 1. James also told ESPN’s Andscape that it was “important” and “critical” to match immediately.
“The shift in free agency brought a lot of uncertainty through the whole process,” Ayton said. “I got to give a lot of respect to the Pacers organization. They were aggressive from the start and showed a lot of love. And we agreed to a max offer sheet. The Suns matched. Now, I’m back in Phoenix as a Sun.
“I’m happy. The process is over. I put all this behind me and focus on chasing a championship this upcoming season with my brothers.” Ayton eventually will be back in Arizona, where has largely resided since 2015 after playing for Phoenix Hillcrest Academy and the University of Arizona.
Ayton said, “I want to keep doing what I’m doing being the face of my family and sharing. We notice the things going around us in the community and we are willing to help in any way we can possible. That is one of the things my mom kept me on and that’s what I stand by.”
Coach of the year Monte Williams had a massive opportunity to deliver 1st ever title for the franchise after a great regular season, but they have their core intact and can make a strong push again in upcoming seasons.
Stay Updated!
Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)