JULY 18: The Suns have officially re-signed Ayton, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic tweets via a team press release.
“Deandre is a force at both ends of the floor, who has elevated his game every year and will continue to do so,” GM James Jones said in a statement. “DA is so important to what we do and without him we could not have reached our recent levels of success.”
JULY 14, 7:28pm: The Suns have indeed opted to match the Pacers’ offer sheet for Ayton, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Ayton’s four-year deal is fully guaranteed, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (YouTube video link).
As detailed below, Ayton is now ineligible to be traded until January 15, and will possess veto power over any trade after that until next July.
With the new Ayton deal on their books, the Suns are facing a projected $32MM tax penalty for the 2022/23 season, per Marks (via Twitter).
7:10pm: Ayton has now signed his offer sheet with the Pacers, starting the clock for the Suns to match, Woj reports (via Twitter).
2:54pm: The Suns haven’t shown any inclination to work out a sign-and-trade with Indiana for Ayton, but they are expected to match the offer sheet once Ayton signs it, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
2:02pm: The Pacers are signing restricted free agent Deandre Ayton to a four-year, $133MM offer sheet, his agents Nima Namakian and Bill Duffy tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Once Ayton inks the deal, the Suns will have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in league history, Wojnarowski adds. ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets that Phoenix technically has until 11:59pm ET on Saturday to match the deal.
Sign-and-trades are not permissible once an offer sheet has been signed, so a potential swap for Pacers center Myles Turner is off the table once Ayton signs the deal. As Marks notes, if the Suns match the offer sheet, Ayton will have the ability to veto any trade starting January 15, which is when he’d be trade-eligible. He also cannot be traded to Indiana for a year.
However, in a follow-up tweet, Marks says that because Ayton hasn’t put pen to paper yet, the Suns and Pacers have until midnight ET to work out a possible sign-and-trade that might be mutually beneficial. What Indiana might get out of that arrangement is unclear.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix reports (Twitter links) that Ayton’s agents had been waiting for the right moment when they thought the Suns wouldn’t match an offer. The Pacers have no interest in a sign-and-trade, according to Gambadoro, who says Indiana knows the Suns don’t want to give Ayton — or any other center — a max deal.
According to Wojnarowski, the Suns never made Ayton a formal offer in free agency. Ayton’s agents told the team they’d be able to find a max offer, and now the Pacers are putting the Suns to the test.
As Marks observes (via Twitter), the Pacers technically can’t sign Ayton without making moves to clear additional cap space. They need to clear another $4.7MM to reach Ayton’s first-year starting salary of $30.9MM in 2022/23, so more maneuvers are imminent.
Marks noted in a recent appearance on 107.5 The Fan that the Pacers have multiple pathways to clear the needed cap space, as James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star relayed. Once those moves are made, they cannot be reversed if Phoenix decides to match.
Ayton, who turns 24 on July 23, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 draft. In 58 games last season (29.5 MPG), the 6’11” center averaged 17.2 PPG and 10.2 RPG while shooting 63.4% from the floor and 74.6% from the line.
Ayton holds career averages of 16.3 PPG and 10.5 RPG in 236 regular season games (30.7 MPG). He was a key component of the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals in ’20/21, averaging 15.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 1.1 BPG in 22 postseason games (36.4 MPG).
An excellent finisher around the basket with a soft touch, Ayton has developed into a very solid defensive player over the past couple of years, anchoring Phoenix’s third-ranked defense last season. However, some have been critical about his shortcomings, mainly that he doesn’t get to the free throw line much despite a muscular frame.
The Pacers have been repeatedly linked to Ayton over the past several weeks, and clearly that interest did not wane.
If the Suns match, they project to be a taxpaying team, something owner Robert Sarver has consistently avoided during his tenure. If they don’t, Myles Turner seems very likely to be headed out of Indiana.
It also complicates Phoenix’s pursuit of Kevin Durant, since the Suns will lose Ayton as a possible trade chip. Even if they match the offer, as was previously noted, Ayton can’t be traded until January 15 and can veto any deal for a full year.
So turner going to the suns? They can’t keep both
Only if Suns match this offer and Pacers try to trade for him after the Suns match.
If Suns don’t match Pacers keep Turner and ship him elsewhere most likely, possibly to the Suns for a 1st.
Sign-and-trade deals are longer allowed once Ayton signs the offer sheet with Indiana. If the Suns do match the offer sheet, they can’t trade Ayton anywhere until at least Jan. 15 — and can’t trade him to Indiana for a year.
I know.
Sorry my comment wasn’t very clear
Pacers can keep both Turner and Ayton if they resign Turner in the off season next year and trade for Ayton next off season. It is possible to keep both especially since Turner could move to PF given his 3 point ability. Kind of like what the Wolves plan seems to be with KAT and Gobert
If suns don’t match the offer sheet the Pacers can trade Turner to the suns in a separate deal.
Hope that clears up what I meant.
And Ayton gets a full no-trade clause for a year, too. So it will be hard to move him.
Indiana has the space to absorb Ayton on that contract. They can simply move Turner in a separate trade.
you can’t sign and trade an offer sheet.. if the suns match he can’t be traded until January, and apparently gave himself a no trade clause if they match. If I’m the Pacers I’m very happy tonight.. they can now trade Turner to many places to get even better (IE possibly the Heat for Duncan Robinson if they fail to land Durant or Mitchell)
True, but there is still the possibility that Phoenix and Indiana can work a trade before the matching offer sheet deadline … in which case, Indiana could just pull their offer.
I believe the offer sheet has to be submitted to start the clock for matching… you can’t pull it in that case.
Good for Deandre. He’s about to get paid one way or another.
Yep but Suns shouldn’t match
Nope, cause heaven knows the Suns have a glutton of potential all-NBA 2-way Centers just waiting in the wings. It’s not as if there window is being propped open by by a declining 37 year old Point Guard It’s not like as if they lose Ayton in a year all they’ll have left is is Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges. It’s not as if they can’t trade him later.
How far they go with him last year? Didn’t he quit on the team?
Now the suns owner can’t complain about the warriors being over the tax amount. he had to do the same thing to keep a good group of players together.
About damn time. Ball is in your court, Phoenix.
Does this mean the Pacers have to waive a few of the following: Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, Duane Washington?
If the Suns don’t match.
Even if the Suns decide after 48 hours to match, the Pacers will need to clear that $4M in cap space once he signs the offer sheet. They can’t undo the waiver processes once they’re started.
Way to much for Ayton he should have been a 22-25 million a year player!
That’s what the Suns thought. But they apparently refused to work with the Pacers on a sign and trade deal and the Pacers decided it was worth it to just pay the max and keep their trade capital. Suns misplayed their hand.
Great take, this is the correctest one in this thread – you know ball my friend.
It’s an overpay, but a market appropriate one for the Pacers to get this caliber player without giving anything up. If the Suns match Pacers will still be fine and can use their cap space to target someone else.
The market decided his value. Pacers had cap space and no one to spend it on.
Not sure they’d play well together but both can step away from the paint and guard.
I’d guess they make smaller moves instead and keep the most talented guys.
Lets go Pacers !!!
Be interesting to see where Turner ends up after all of this?
If all else fails.. don’t be shocked of a 1 for 1 for Duncan Robinson
Why would the Pacers want to trade for Robinson and his awful contract that has 4 years left? Turner is a much better player and has just 1 year left on his contract which makes him very tradeable.
They honestly could just make a trade with the Suns that has no involvement with Deandre Ayton to trade Myles Turner and get a first and maybe a role player.
That would leave the Pacers with Goga Bitadze as their starting center, which I’m sure they’d rather avoid
@Sphinxter
I can see Turner being well sought after by trade deadline. 1/$17 for a skilled big headed into the playoffs.
:D it’s the NBA, theyre all skilled and bigheaded lol.
Anyway.
Turner can play the 4, always has with Sabonis. Pacers are thin there now.
And I would expect they will be trying to win with Ayton, not tank. Assuming Suns don’t match.
@x%sure
“skilled big headed into the playoffs”. I see what you did there. Nice…
The Suns just screwed themselves in so many ways… I’m very happy for Ayton…. 1) If they match, Ayton can’t be traded until January (with a no trade clause) 2) If they don’t match they lose any ability to trade for a top caliber talent (ahem Kevin Durant) 3) Ayton just got insane vengeance for the Suns not signing him a year ago when he wanted to… they are completely boned now. The biggest winners of this news are probably the Miami Heat :-)
I think the biggest winners in this news are the Pacers.
well if the Heat get Durant because of this I think that’s bigger than Ayton personally lol
Honestly I can’t really see a trade that will send KD to the Heat.
well the only other team he named just got forced out of the running
Neither can I.
Heat don’t have enough assets to get KD.
Heat don’t want KD
Yes they do. Did you see your lousy limited offense outside of Jimmy Butler in the ECF?
In Jimmy and Pat we trust
Hope KD rumors of coming to Miami makes your popcorn taste better
That sounds good and all but the Suns weren’t trading for KD while the Nets asking price was half the team. Especially for a 34 year old crybaby who has won nothing in his lifetime without the Warriors.
They didn’t screw themselves beyond the no-trade part. If they really wanted to trade him for Durant (which I don’t even think was possible because of Ben Simmons) it would have happened already.
Ayton would have had to sign with them first
Plus, BKN had no interest in Ayton on a max contract. A S&T starts with that. One could also go on and note that BKN, very deep in the tax, can’t acquire a guy in a S&T, etc. I guess none of it matters if people are determined to see a KD connection in every transaction.
If Ayton returns to the Suns their team chemistry is shot. Ayton and Coach Monty will need to go on a healing retreat to restore and refresh their relationship.
Last year Ayton wanted a 5/$173.
This year he is on track for 4/$133.
I don’t see how Suns “got screwed”.
He is playing at $33mil instead of $35mil, to the same ending date.
Suns FO did not get what they wanted tho.
Go get it Big Fella…..
Suns don’t respect you.
Suns realized after the warriors won a championship that they don’t need to overpay for a center. They just need 2 solid centers and try to get KD and they will be competitive for years to come.
this news basically ended all ability for them to get Durant.. not sure if you realize that.. whether they match or not Ayton can’t be traded for Durant anymore
They screwed themselves over.
I’m pretty sure Ayton was never tradable for Durant because of the contract rules and Brooklyn already having Simmons on the books.
That said, I don’t understand Phoenix pursuing KD. You’re betting everything on a 2 or 3 year window where even with KD they probably can’t get past GS.
They should of used Ayton to get KD. Both Nets and Suns are done. Will never go back to Finals anytime soon ………
They couldn’t trade Ayton for Durant due to Ben Simmons. Complicated I know but trades aren’t so easy in the NBA as it is in 2k
Suns kind of have to match. I feel like this leaves a huge hole on their team.
Ayton has played high school, college, and the start of his career in Phoenix just sign him
shoulda given him a decent contract last year and not screwed themselves into a hole for the next 5 years.
They made a major mistake by not giving Deandre Ayton a contract.
They may be skeptical since Deandre Ayton would have the biggest contract in NBA history (I believe) in that situation.
I mean biggest offer sheet.
Seems like the Suns screwed themselves.
How? It’s the same money, a little less even. There’s no way they could have gotten him to sign for less unless they put a gun to his head.
Pacers forced their hand, called their bluff, and lost.
This is amateur hour on IND’s part. Sign the guy to the damn offer sheet already or shush. Of course, PHX will match it, and get Ayton at a lower rate than he wanted from them. IND gets nothing, except the satisfaction of making another team pay more than they otherwise would have. That’s the market in the NBA. After the match, IND can then go about the process of actually putting together their team.
YEah the Suns are actually doing good business. Just have a new team offer a max sheet and then match. End up paying the players less than than what they could have offered.
Yes, I think there have been so few offer sheets the past few years that people forget that the practice of letting the RFA market per offer sheets set the price of a tough to value guy like Ayton used to be standard operating procedure. So much so that teams stopped using offer sheets because they were tired of being stalking horses for the player’s benefit.
In this case, PHX had no choice. Prior to the season, Ayton wouldn’t sit down with them unless they agreed in advance to the 5-year home team max. The IND deal that they’ll match was likely available to him before the season.
How is it amateur hour? Indiana is trying to put themselves into the best position to get Ayton. You could be right and Phoenix was maybe always going to match, but Indiana doesn’t know that.
I was referring to the daily ominous reports of the offer sheet being imminent. Everyone knows what’s going on here. PHX has indicated to IND that its going to match. So, IND has to decide whether to call their bluff or fold. A little gamesmanship, OK, but a week of this nonsense?
@DXC …….. Small-market teams like IND rarely, rarely attracts top FA’s, their ONLY real avenue is through the offer-sheet e.g. Ayton
I have no issue with them submitting an offer sheet. Glad they (finally) actually did. The system worked as intended. It’s not designed for player movement. It’s designed to price the player (Ayton) at the highest available amount, and give the team assisting in the process (IND) a long shot chance at procuring a top young player before his real free agency.
That’s fair. I was figuring Indiana was waiting to see if Phoenix made any movement on the KD front before doing the offer, probably hoping they’d just let Ayton walk.
Don’t see a ton of leverage for the Suns here. After all, while the Pacers clearly want Ayton it’s not like they NEED him. If I were the Pacers, I would call their bluff and not even offer a guy like Turner up in a S&T. Might be a bit risky, but Sarver is in hot water and doesn’t seem inclined to go into the tax to begin with. And if the Suns would end up keeping Ayton, you could always try to deal for him later as an unwanted player on a team which cannot afford him, with the cost of such a trade not likely to be much greater than it would be with a potential S&T.
Of course, if Sarver is actually willing to pony up for Ayton it’s a different story.
Ayton just gonna be so cheery and happy going back the PHX the way they treated him!
Ayton is about to explode. This guy has more offense than he’s shown. Halliburton and Ayton are about to serve notice. The Big and Point, still the best combo.
Early 2000s basketball is calling!!…Not really Bruh. Come back to the future!
@casor
The idea that a center can’t be an important part of a winning team is silly. they’d a reason why 6’10 + guys who can score and rebound tend to be drafted top 3 whenever possible. You can’t teach size. I think Ayton was inherently underused. They’ve become so seduced by 3pters they’ve lost sight that a guy who shoots 60% from FG with an array of moves deserves the ball 15 to 20 times a game. I can only imagine what a beast like Jaren Jackson Jr got the memo to stay within 10ft of the basket and go beastmode. A guy with his physicality that shoots over 80% FTs could be an easy 25/10 guy.
6’3 Steph will still dominate those dudes with kevon looney lol
@knickscavsfan
Don’t disagree with anything you said. I’m not willing to state that point abd big is the best combo though
Yeah Jokic and Embiid want to help you. Try and finally learn the game. Stop taking it from strangers lol
I love this. Really interesting move. If PhX matches they prob lose out on Durant. If they don’t the lose Ayton for nothing
This signing pretty much kills any chance at Durant to the Sun’s this offseason. Suns needed to make a sign and trade work from a salary matching/ value perspective and now Ayton can’t be traded until January.
Can we get a clarification. It says, assuming he goes to Indiana, that he can’t be traded until Jan 15, ’23 but will also have veto rights in any trade starting Jan 15 and lasting 1 full year. So he CAN block any trade from Jan 15 ’23 to Jan 14 ’24? Is that correct? Because some outlets are simply saying he can’t be traded until Jan 15 but didn’t specify for how long.
If this is what you’re looking for: Deandre Ayton cannot be traded until January 15th, 2023. Ayton can block any trade he is in for all of next season. Ayton cannot be traded to the Pacers for all of next season.
His veto rights last a full year from his signing date (so they’ll expire in July 2023).
I know many assumed Phoenix had enough to win it all based on how they performed in the regular season but to think the team could realistically move fwd without going into the lux despite giving out the max to Booker and the $20 + deals to CP3, Bridges and I’m assuming they were willing to at least offer Ayton something in the $20 mil range seems poorly thought out.
I wonder if any team made it to the CF without having a team under the lux tax? Seem difficult with all of these multi star teams with vets not on rookie contracts.
If Pacers had not offered, not maxxing him would have worked. But Pacers did not help themselves by offering. The belief that Sarver would not match was “poorly thought out” too. It’s another CBA fiasco.
Having said that, like them I was a bit surprised the Suns matched too. I think the NBA investigation into Sarver encouraged that. If it was up to me, i would have the Suns starting Kaminsky.
Ayton’s stats will likely rise, bc the team should expect more from him at that price, and enter the ball in more. Save CP3 for the PO!
PS your previous question about a blocking right lasting 1.5 years… I don’t recall any rule lasting 1.5 anything. I would say Ayton’s block right would go to Jan to June ’23.
Didn’t the Celtics want Myles Turner awhile back? Could somehow Executive of the Year (should have been) Brad Stevens get Turner?
Yes. They have the Fournier exception. Could use the exception, trade Hauser to further match the salaries, add some picks, and be able to acquire Turner
I don’t think you can attach players to a trade exception.
would nt the Celtic have included Turner in the Brogdan deal?
Why would the Cs go after turner when they already got rob and Al? There issue was at the PG position and they already addressed that. Why do ppl fetish over size when the warriors & Celtics don’t even have a big over 6’10?
As a Warriors fan, I would like to thank Indiana for effectively ending any chance Phoenix had to acquire Durant.
How? The Nets dont want Ayton for obvious reasons. Their package for KD would have to be Bridges, Cam Johnson, Crowder, Saric, picks and swaps…this is independent of that
You really think that package fits the Nets narrative of a young all-star or player that potential to become an all-star under the age of 25? Bridges is good but will he ever be an all-star?
“All star” could mean a lot of different things. Wiggins was an “all star” and bridges is significantly better than him. He is a really good 2 way wing player, which is super valuable in this league. He is a significant reason Booker became a good player the last couple of years, and they got to the NBA finals
If anything Phoenix shouldnt make this trade b/c they’d be left with Chris Paul, KD, and Torrey Craig, and would essentially have to build the rest of the roster from the few remaining pieces in FA, which is doable, but has to be perfect
Sad, I was really excited to see him come to Indy. Now it’s just another season under cap with little to watch on the court.
Bulls will trade you Vucevich for Turner if you want something to happen.
The Bulls would definitely have to give up picks in that.
Pathetic Phoenix. It might not be 5yrs, but Ayton still ended up getting max. Ayton was always right about his value. Meanwhile, phoenix lost in the 2nd round and stuck with $133m disgruntled star. Way to go Phoenix! :)
He’s not disgruntled any more…
Dennis Schroder and players like him are.
Take the money when you can and live your best life!
Glad Ayton got paid he deserves it…he played it smart as helle
Idk didn’t Coach Monty Williams call him out in front of everyone during the playoffs.
Then they didn’t agree on an extension and obviously undervalued him.
Now he’s stuck with them cause they decided to match. Obviously he gets paid which is nice but it’s what he’s worth and the team he is on wasn’t exactly thrilled to be bringing him back.
If I was him I’d definitely be pissed off, regardless now they owe him the money, I’d be saying as soon as you can please trade me to a team that actually wants me and in the meantime I’m not going to I give my all for you, I’ll play well but I’m not risking Injury
Portland signed Hibbert and Kanter to big offer sheets and they went back to their teams that matched no problem. There have been other instances of RFAs wanting to move on, and their deal getting matched. That’s why its called RFA
Next question for the jury:
Did Ayton sabotage the Suns last year out of salary disgruntlement?
Too funny, obv not…….but ESPN radio said that exact same thing tonight on my drive home verbatim
Man that network is at peak bottom today
The morale wasnt great, thats for sure. HC and Paul always tried to call out Ayton instead of treating him as bona fide #1 pick star. They were always trying to talk fown his value and make him accept something less. Finally, no way Ayton was going to risk injury in postseason for uncommitted Suns.
Essentially they’re putting Phoenix in a position where they probably are going to end up matching b/c of their cap situation, even if Ayton isnt actually worth the price at all. It makes sense, and for Phoenix, they probably explored sign and trade options, but it’s hard to see a fit around the league, especially at the price he was looking for, so you end up in this position where you mostly have to match. I do think they could have been fine without him, but there also isnt that many options currently in FA this late
Pretty much what I’ve been saying the last year and a half. Indiana essentially forced Phoenix to give him an $11 million-$16 million per overpay due to the circumstances of their situation. Meanwhile, Ayton doesnt get the 5 year deal he wanted, but he got his max deal he thinks he should get b/c of where he was drafted a few years ago
This could have been interesting if Phoenix had signed Jalen Smith or Serge Ibaka as a FA. They could have surprised Indiana by not matching and sticking them with this contract, but for now they keep their status quo, and they were able to add a potential floor spacing big they need in the deal they made for Londale
Funny how IND was chasing a very good center… after they traded Sabonis who is a much better player than Ayton will ever be, really odd, that’s for sure!
In what works is Sabonis that much better? He is great offense C for sure but beyond a liability on defense.
They’re similar in some ways, but Sabonis actually passes the ball, and is also a playmaker, and Ayton, while he has improved, is somewhat adequate in certain areas defensively, and bad in other areas, and only really has been better there these last 2 years while being surrounded by Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae crowder, Cam Johnson, Torrey Craig who range from good-elite defenders
Sabonis isnt a good defender either, but is underrated there. Not saying hes good. He had Turner, which obviously helped him, but he was still adequate without him
Neither defends pick and roll though, or really protects the rim, so you would need multiple strong defenders around them, like Phoenix has
Suns don’t deserve Ayton
Ayton doesn’t deserve Suns. For whatever that’s worth.
Now Ayton can’t be traded till Jan 15.
Suns could of done a sign n trade. I guess no one was offering enough. Good for them.
I expect Nets to be in on this. KD is gone. So it’s easy to just build around Ayton. He is best they will get.
Ayton can now veto any trade for 1 year! He can’t be traded until January 15th and can’t be traded to the Pacers for 1 year.
his veto ability starts Jan 15
Whomp Whomp
PHX was going to match all along (going back to last off season when Ayton wouldn’t sit down with them). They telegraphed it then and did it again the end of this year as well. PHX, in fact, was ready to give Ayton a better contract than this (just not 5 years). IND took a chance, basically that PHX wasn’t going to actually do what they indicated. Some lost cap space the next few years is really all they lost, and maybe the young PG they like if he’s claimed.
The fact that Ayton can’t be traded until January 15th is not some special restriction. That restriction pretty much applies to all FAs that re-up with their teams. The trade approval right is granted only in certain situations, but it’s not as big deal in an offer sheet match situation as it is in some others. If he’s traded, it will be to a destination of his liking.
You can pay CP3 90 mill over three yrs. At age 38.
But you don’t think Ayton is worth 30 mill over 4 yrs at age 23 …….
What’s wrong with this picture. NBA has become golf here.
B/c Chris Paul is exponentially better and more valuable, and that is still an understatement
Yeah for who you. He’s DONE after this yr. Last yrs stats are not even better than Aytons. And certainly no one on Suns team is more important that Ayton on Defense. Only Booker is more valuable than Ayton on Suns team. Cause Ayton can give you 12 yrs. And 12 much better yrs than last yr.
link to statmuse.com
So in your world 1 good yr of CP3 is better than 12 yrs of Ayton …… Who is only getting better