Author: Monojit Mandal
The Phoenix Suns, in an unexpected turn of events, did not give Deandre Ayton a maximum contract before he became a restricted free agent in the summer of 2022. His silence was broken when the Indiana Pacers offered the skilled player a four-year, $133 million deal.
Phoenix finally decided to match the Pacers’ offer, much to the relief of Suns fans, guaranteeing Ayton’s future with the franchise. However, concerns were raised about how much the organization really valued him, as he waited until another team made a big move before making a substantial one.
During the Suns’ recent championships, Ayton’s relationship with former coach Monty Williams was often questioned. Despite their achievements, the team fell short of the final hurdle. However, Phoenix made an unexpected choice this summer when they parted ways with Williams and hired Frank Vogel as their new coach. In addition, the organization arranged a transaction that resulted in the formation of an incredible Big Three made up of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. With the team’s ambitious expectations of winning an NBA championship, keeping Ayton became crucial.
The Suns are already worried about their depth, and losing Ayton, who often scores double-doubles, would have exacerbated the problem. Although Ayton didn’t always live up to the high expectations of being a first-round pick, he established his value with an average of 16.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in his first five seasons. If Phoenix wants to win a title, Ayton will need to lead the front court and reach his full potential.
The Suns’ executive management clearly judged that the danger of losing Ayton exceeded the possible benefits of getting Beal. Phoenix knows the value of keeping a big commodity like Ayton while trying to achieve success, especially with their current depth problems. The team’s priority is championship glory, and Ayton’s presence will be key to achieving that goal.
Finally, by matching the expensive offer sheet for Deandre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns demonstrated their commitment to developing a championship-caliber team. The Suns are determined to go all out and chase their championship dream, with a new coach, Frank Vogel, and a powerful Big Three with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.