A notable former member of the Phoenix Suns, who didn’t receive his expected worth of contract in 2005 free agency, expressed his sentiment about Deandre Ayton-Phoenix Suns contract issue.
Joe Johnson weighs it out via Instagram comment, seems hitting Suns owner Robert Sarver.
Way back in 2005 free agency, it was reported that Iso Joe was unhappy with the six-year $60 million contract that Phoenix offered. After averaging 17.1 markers, a consistent 48 percent three-point shooting, and helping the Valley to clinch the 62-win season and a slot to the conference finals, the restricted free agent Johnson was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and secured the $70 million offer in over five years. There, he established himself as one of the most spectacular scorers in the game, racking up All-star selections and draining clutch shots when it mattered the most.
“If I’d stayed with the Phoenix Suns, we’d at least have one title. That haunts me as well because that’s probably the only time I really felt that I really had a real chance to win a championship, so yeah, that’s a tough one.”
– Joe Johnson (Via Cheat Day)
It was announced earlier by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Ayton and the Suns didn’t reach an agreement for a new contract, thus putting uncertainty on both sides in the long-term view. The big man remains upset about not receiving a five-year rookie max contract around $172.5 million in cash, as Sarver is reportedly reluctant on the demanded value of the number one overall pick in 2018 NBA draft.
Ayton, who was a key component in the Suns’ recent deep postseason run, will enter the next offseason as a restricted free agent.
