Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton He said he hasn’t spoken to head coach Monty Williams since coming off the bench in a stunning Game 7 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in May.
Ayton had a tense summer with the Suns and after signing a four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix used his restricted free agency rights to match.
“I haven’t spoken to him at all since the game,” Ayton told reporters after Tuesday’s first practice of the season. “I can show him more than I can tell him. That’s life. No one cares about the offensive nature of it.”
Ayton trained at the Suns’ facility in the weeks leading up to training camp, but Williams said he decided to leave the players alone this summer to give them space.
“I think you always want a one-on-one between the guys I’ve been with for a while,” Williams said. I will identify it as I go along, I will talk to everyone during camp as usual and it won’t be a problem at all.”
Ayton was brief in his comments to the media about his feelings over the past two days about how contract negotiations have played out. and does not have his typical cheerful demeanor.
“When I’m between those lines, man, I’m working,” Ayton said. There’s an organization and a name on my back that I have to represent. I’m just here to work.”
The Suns, who were the top seed with 64 wins last season, were eliminated by the Mavs on the home floor by 33 points. Ayton played only 17 minutes in this match. When asked why, Williams only said it was an “internal” issue.
At Monday night’s team dinner, Williams spoke about the loss with the team.
“There was a lot going on in Game 7, but we talked about it last night as a team,” Williams said. “I put it to bed last night.”
On Monday, Williams said he believed Ayton could put lingering problems behind him.
“He’s too good a player and he’s a good guy,” Williams said. I think they can be blown out of proportion if you don’t know the facts.
Ayton averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds in 58 games last season.
