The Phoenix Sun, which retained 36-year-old Chris Paul with a four-year, $120 million contract during the offseason, are unwilling to offer a maximum contract extension to Deandre Ayton, according to ESPN.
Ayton, 23 and in the last year of his rookie deal, was one of the major contributors to the Suns' surprising trip to the NBA Finals last season. His defensive presence helped the team knock out Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers, and Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the postseason.
So far there have already been four players from Ayton's class (2018) signing max contract extensions: Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City, and Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets.
Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait at the team's media day event in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., September 27, 2021. /CFP
Deandre Ayton (R) of the Phoenix Suns defends Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 13, 2021. /CFP
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