The Phoenix Suns are determined to bounce back after a heartbreaking exit — coming up short against the might of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in last season’s NBA Finals. As such, the re-signing of future Hall of Famer Chris Paul to a four-year, $120M deal plays a huge impact on this team who aims to sustain a competitive presence in the wild, wild western conference.
But along the process, questions are swirling about the extension of one of their young cornerstones, Deandre Ayton. And now, the big man officially dropped his very own remarks regarding the issue.
He is disappointed.
The Suns center gave his sentiments about the contract talks he has with the franchise, expressing his disappointment about how things are going on.
“I love Phoenix, but I’m really disappointed we haven’t really gotten a deal done yet,” Ayton said after Tuesday’s training camp in Phoenix. “We were two wins away from winning a championship and I just really want to be respected, to be honest. To be respected like my peers are being respected by their teams.”
Unlike those other talented players who came with him on the 2018 Draft, from the likes of Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the former number one overall pick hasn’t received his very own rookie max extension. ESPN noted last week that the Suns organization is reluctant on giving Ayton its big contract, thus making things complicated on both sides.
“I’ll just let them handle it in the most professional way possible and just control what I can control,” Ayton further argued.
In spite of having tangled contract talks, the former Arizona Wildcat remains committed to developing chemistry with his teammates.
“The relationships I have on this team will never change regardless of whatever the outcome is,” Ayton stated. “At the same time, still got to come in and work. There’s a job to be done and it’s to win games. The team we have, we still a goal and task at hand that will never change.”
Suns and Ayton have until October 18 to lock a five-year rookie max deal worth $172.5 million.
