The Phoenix Suns shocked the NBA world when it was announced that they had cut off contract negotiation talks with Deandre Ayton. Ayton was eligible for a rookie extension but the sides could not agree on a deal.
Ayton was looking to receive a max deal, but it was not something Suns’ ownership seemed to ever consider offering. It was something that made Ayton unhappy, especially when seeing the other deals that his peers from the 2018 NBA Draft class received.
Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Michael Porter Jr. all received max extensions. Jaren Jackson signed a four-year, $104 million deal. The Suns were even able to work out deals with his teammates Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamey. Bridges signed a four-year, $90 million deal while Shamet received a four-year, $43 million extension.
Not being able to work out a deal with the No. 1 overall pick in Ayton is a bad look. Any positivity that the Bridges and Shamet deals brought about was dashed when it was announced that no deal was finalized for Ayton.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Phoenix Suns Face ‘Uncertain’ Future With Unhappy Deandre Ayton
The situation has caused quite a reaction in the basketball world. Former Suns’ shooting guard Joe Johnson took a shot at Robert Sarver on social media himself.
Johnson was low-balled by the Suns back in 2005 when he entered free agency himself. It resulted in him being sent to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a sign-and-trade deal in which he landed a five-year, $70 million contract.
It was different circumstances, but the Suns were also hesitant to commit big, long-term money to Amar’e Stoudemire when he was a free agent in 2010. He ultimately signed with the New York Knicks, providing them a little resurgence as they traded for Carmelo Anthony soon after that.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Phoenix Suns Face ‘Uncertain’ Future With Unhappy Deandre Ayton
For a team that went to the NBA Finals just three months ago, their future has been drastically altered. They will now have to see how things play out in restricted free agency next offseason, as Ayton will undoubtedly be looking to land a max contract once again.
