One of the most important free agent dominoes fell Thursday when the Suns retained Deandre Ayton, matching the four-year, $ 133 million offer sheet the center signed with the Pacers.
Ayton, who will turn 24 on July 23, was a restricted free agent after failing to sign an extension with Phoenix last summer. He averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game with the Suns last season, helping the team finish the regular season with the best record in the NBA. The signing of Ayton should have significant effects in the league, as he was often mentioned as a possible commercial chip in a Kevin Durant change, while the Pacers are still looking for an upgrade at center.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what Ayton’s signing means to the Suns, Nets and Pacers.
Phoenix is getting it back … for now
Even after an ignominious 7th game loss to the Mavericks, the Suns are regaining most of the squad that won 64 games in 2021-22. The Phoenix starting five should be the same for the third straight season with Ayton in tow, and key collaborators like Cameron Payne and Cam Johnson have also stayed. On the surface, keeping the core of the best team in the franchise together is a no-brainer. As ugly as the Phoenix Game 7 defeat was, there is enough evidence to believe that this group can compete for a title in a loaded West. On the track, Ayton fits in perfectly with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. He is versatile at both ends of the field, and is improving both as a varied offensive scorer and as a team defender. And he should continue to grow as a player as he enters his best moment, especially when he plays in postseason games with more bets.
Economic commitment is also a good sign. With Ayton back, as it is currently being built, the Suns will pay the luxury tax for the first time since 2009, owning a sign is willing to pay the bill needed to win a title.
Off the track, Phoenix’s expanded song and dance with Ayton were, at best, awkward. By not extending it last season, the Suns basically avoided giving Ayton a five-year contract worth even more a year, forcing him to find an outside offer. Was it worth any effect it had on the team’s chemistry? Ayton barely played in the second half of that 7th game loss to Dallas, and Monty Williams sternly called it an “internal” problem after the game. While Phoenix quickly matched Ayton’s offer, it hasn’t exactly made him feel wanted last year. It’s a weird tactic to employ with a former No. 1 pick that has become a key gear for a title contender, especially when he has room to grow. Relationships seemed strained in Phoenix at the end of the season. Aligning everyone’s motivations before a title chase will equate to the success of this team as what is happening between two baskets.
Bottom line: The Suns will have a very high floor as long as Ayton, Booker and Paul play together. But don’t be surprised if Ayton’s name appears in commercial rumors at some point during the life of this contract.
Kevin Durant’s options are dwindling
In Durant it was much harder to join the Suns.
Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of exchanges, an agreement between Kevin Durant and Phoenix is much less likely after the signing of Ayton. Even if the Nets looked great with Ayton as a player, whether it’s a real stance or a draft pick, a sign and a change that involved him made a lot of sense in Durant’s hypotheses. . Since the Suns matched an offer sheet for Ayton, it cannot be changed until Jan. 15 at the earliest, and it can veto any change during the first year of its deal. That means it can’t be treated this summer, and if they send it to some third team of your favorite Durant fake trade, Ayton can avoid it with a flick of his finger. (I like to believe that trades are officially vetoed in the Dikembe Mutombo style.)
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It’s not impossible for the Suns to change for Durant now, but it gets a lot more complicated without being able to involve Ayton. If the signing takes Phoenix out of the race for Durant, KD now has one less team on its list of destinations that can viable acquire it. Maybe that helps a team like the Heat. Or maybe cheer on a small market team like the Grizzlies. Or maybe he convinces the Nets to return Durant, which may have implications for Kyrie Irving, who may have an impact on what the Lakers are doing this summer. I seriously thought this was an important domino!
With a major team taking a step back in Durant’s draw, the Nets may have a little more leverage to try to catch up for another season or to create stronger offers from teams that aren’t on KD’s wish list. Durant’s situation is likely to continue to worsen in the foreseeable future, but his chances of landing with the Suns appear to have a serious impact.
So Myles Turner?
The Pacers don’t seem to see Turner as their long-term solution at center.
Photo pool / USA TODAY Sports
The Pacers took Ayton out for a talk by the fire, even though they were already hooked up with a cross to Myles Turner, and now the team needs to figure out what to do with the front court again.
Turner has been mentioned in commercial rumors for years, and yet he can’t move. Last season, Indiana seemed to make some sort of commitment to Turner through the exchange of Domantas Sabonis. Turner seemed excited about the prospect of a more important role with the team, so he’s probably not ecstatic with the reception that tried to replace him.
Turner enters the final year of a deal that pays him $ 17.5 million, and I’m surprised he ended this season with Indy. Eventually, the Pacers moved Malcolm Brogdon out of misery, and I could see they were finally doing the same for Turner to get at least something in return. It’s clear that Indy doesn’t see Turner as his long-term solution at center, and could now enter the training camp as an alternative to the position. The team will probably offer some kind of support to Turner publicly at some point as a result of Ayton’s love. Still, it’s hard to imagine Turner not being somehow more available than before this summer.
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