Suns To ‘Aggressively’ Shop Deandre Ayton With ‘Significant Interest’ Expected

The Phoenix Suns are widely expected to reassess the trade market of Deandre Ayton this offseason after they matched his four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers as a restricted free agent in 2022. The Suns could have offered Ayton a five-year deal worth up to $177 million, but they decided to force him to get an offer sheet on the open market before matching, which does make his contract more tradeable.

“As disappointing as this series was for Deandre Ayton and as awkward as this has been for the last couple years with him, I think there will be significant interest on the trade market this summer,” said Tim MacMahon. “He’s a 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick who averaged 18 and 10 this year.”

“And he’s on the fun max,” said Brian Windhorst, referencing how Ayton’s max is for 25 percent of the cap coming off his rookie contract.

Sources told MacMahon that the Suns “are expected to aggressively explore the trade market” for Ayton in the offseason.

Sources also told MacMahon that teammates of Ayton have shared some of the frustrations Monty Williams has felt toward him with his inconsistent effort and lack of aggression.