Phoenix Suns big man and restricted free agent DeAndre Ayton has agreed to an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers at 133 million dollars over four years, an offer that the Phoenix Suns are expected to match.
DeAndre Ayton was the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, one of the more notable draft classes in recent memory that also included young star players Luka Dončić and Trae Young. Obviously Ayton is not as good as those two players, but he has worked himself into one of the better big men in the NBA. His greatest strength is being able to play well in the pick and roll action whether it be rolling to the basket after the screen, or spotting up for a mid range jumper. This past season, Ayton played in 58 games and averaged a solid 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Ayton was a critical piece of the Suns making the NBA Finals in 2021 and in that season, he appeared in 69 out of 72 possible games and put up 14 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix obviously has a solid core of players led by their backcourt featuring Chris Paul and Devin Booker, but Ayton would be a very critical piece to lose.
Many people are also wondering if matching the offer made by the Pacers takes the Suns out of the running for Kevin Durant. However, the Nets are not even interested in Ayton and probably prefer some of Phoenix's other pieces. It will be interesting to see where Ayton ends up next season.