With the start of the NBA season on the horizon, the Phoenix Suns are at an expiring crossroads when it comes to the future of center Deandre Ayton.
The fleeting deadline is Oct. 18 as the Suns and Ayton have hit a standstill over a new deal. Phoenix drafted Ayton with the first overall pick in 2018 in which he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Since then, it’s been quiet in the accolades department for Ayton.
Coming off the back of an NBA Finals run, Ayton believes he is worthy of a max rookie deal. That deal would keep him in Phoenix for five years and pay $172.5 million that could rise to $207 million. The Suns’ organization is hesitant to commit that much money to Ayton and they have reason to.
It all boils down to one question: “Does Deandre Ayton deserve a max deal?” In short, no, he doesn’t deserve a max deal. However, the Suns should give it to him anyway.
First, you can look at the other players in the draft class that received the same max deal. Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Atlanta’s Trae Young, both taken after Ayton, have already received the rookie max deal. Those two have already proved themselves to be the best players on their respective teams in addition to some All-Star appearances. Other players to receive the max deal are Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. Ayton is around the same skill level as those two, but SGA is worth the max and MPJ is not.
MPJ has only played two seasons and is only the third-best player on his team.
Gilgeous-Alexander is a cornerstone of the rebuilding Thunder so paying him is essential for the franchise. Averaging 23 points and shooting over 40% from beyond the arc also makes it easy to pay someone that much.
“I love Phoenix but I’m really disappointed that we haven’t really gotten a deal done yet,” Ayton said. “We were two wins from a championship and I just really want to be respected, to be honest. Be respected like my peers are being respected by their teams.”
Ayton has never been an All-Star and is only arguably better than MPJ. By simple logic Doncic, Young and Gilgeous-Alexander are worthy of a max deal because of their talent and ability and Ayton just isn’t on their level.
Despite those factors, the Suns should still pay Ayton.
It’s a lot of money for the third option on a team without an All-Star appearance, but there aren’t any other better options. If Phoenix let him walk they wouldn’t be able to find a suitable replacement. Without Ayton, who is going to dunk the next Valley Oop?
Another reason to keep him is to avoid giving up on him too early. Ayton has been a slightly above average center for most of his career but he showed flashes of his potential in the 2021 playoffs en route to the Finals. Ayton’s points per game, field goal percentage and rebounds all increased from the regular season.
Giving up on a long-term investment like Ayton would haunt the organization and fanbase if he can maintain and build off of his postseason performances elsewhere. Player investment takes time and Ayton is on the cusp of a breakout season and the Suns would be foolish to cut the cord this close to the final product.
The Suns are going to spend money regardless and putting it toward Ayton isn’t a terrible option. While it isn’t the absolute best use of the money it’s the best available direction. Phoenix is in a win-now situation with Chris Paul as the second-best player and keeping the team that went to the finals together should be a top priority.
Some athletes who get paid big contracts aren’t always paid based on talent but rather value. Ayton fits his team well. He is unselfish and is the perfect complement to Paul’s extraordinary passing and vision. His strengths are his athleticism, rebounding and increasing defensive prowess. Those are attributes that can be coached and strengthened. Knowing the system and culture of the Suns with strong chemistry with the roster is more valuable than most would give credit for. In the end, it would be too costly with time and money to find another center to fit the Suns’ newfound championship aspirations
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, “Ayton doesn’t plan on signing for anything less than the max because of “his performance, his potential and the marketplace”
What really pushed the leverage toward Ayton was the MPJ deal. After seeing a player who has only played 2 seasons in the NBA get paid like that, there was no way he would accept less than the max.
Phoenix should get the deal done sooner rather than let it cloud the upcoming season where the team has high expectations.
Ayton will be focused on the season and the objectives but it would be much better for everyone to have the contract situation resolved before the home opener. Hopefully ending with a payday for DA.
