Deandre Ayton is staying in Phoenix.
Reportedly only minutes after the restricted free agent And signed the maximum offer sheet Indiana Pacers, Sands Consistent with it to maintain the overall draft topic of 2018, Athletic Shams Carania Report.. He will continue to play for Sands with a four-year $ 133 million contract.
The contract comes after Sands Refused to offer an extension to Eighton About new contracts during the season before the deadline in October. Eighton’s pending restricted free agents remained in the storyline when Sands embarked on the NBA’s best regular season with a record of 64-18. Alongside Chris Paul’s leadership and Devin Booker’s All-NBA play, Eighton’s emergence played a key role in the success of Phoenix’s regular season and in the 2021 finals.
Sands declined in the 2022 postseason and fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round after entering the playoffs as a favorite to win the championship. Eighton played only 17 minutes in the seventh round defeat to Dallas, further questioning his future on the team. Monty Williams head coach said Eighton’s limited play time Bleacher Report Jake Fisher He said Williams “I don’t particularly like it.”
Meanwhile, other top players in Ayton’s 2018 rookie class have signed a long-term contract to stay on the team. Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander All signed maximum extensions before the deadline.Jaren Jackson Jr. Agreed to trade less than maximum Stay in Memphis.
ESPN’s Adrian Voinaroski In May, Eighton reported that he “did not feel the value.” By Sands while Eighton’s agent Bill Duffy confirms it He wanted the biggest deal.. Eighton eventually won the biggest deal with Sands, but it wasn’t without the turmoil that could have been avoided before the end of the Sands season.
Eighton scored 17.2 points per game, 63.4% field goal shots last season, adding 10.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game.His return will retain Phoenix’s core and prevent Sands from getting injured next season Among the championship favorites..
The deal twists any plans that Sands might have had to replace with Kevin Durant after the disgruntled Brooklyn Nets star. Phoenix is reportedly listed as a priority destination With his trade demands. Due to NBA rules, Eighton was not traded until January 15th after signing the Indiana Offer Sheet. Sands wouldn’t want to meet Brooklyn’s demands with a package that doesn’t contain Eighton.
