Suns, former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton fail to agree on extension ahead of deadline

The Phoenix Suns and center Deandre Ayton failed to reach a deal on a contract extension ahead of a Monday deadline, ESPN’s Arian Wojnarowski reports. 

Without a deal, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft will enter next offseason as a restricted free agent. 

Ayton sought a max extension in negotiations, and Suns owner Robert Sarver continued to decline to offer one ahead of Monday’s deadline, per the report. The news puts a damper on the excitement around the start of Phoenix’s season on the heels of last season’s unexpected run to the NBA Finals.

In three seasons in Phoenix, Ayton’s averaged 16 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 58.5% from the field. With the addition of Chris Paul to the roster, the Suns looked less to Ayton to score last season as he averaged 14.4 points per game. 

But he was a more efficient scorer and effective all-around player while shooting 62.6% from the field. He was critical in Phoenix’s run to the Finals while averaging 15.8 points and 11.8 rebounds and shooting 65.8% from the field.

Ayton was eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension with incentives that could raise the value to $207 million. Monday at 6 p.m. ET is the deadline for members of the 2018 draft class to sign extensions on their rookie contracts. Other top players from Ayton’s class Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all signed max extensions. 

Suns ownership doesn’t believe that Ayton is on the same tier as players like Doncic and Young, who have been named All-Stars since joining the league. While Ayton’s an efficient scorer, he doesn’t posses the 3-point shooting prowess that’s coveted in modern NBA big men. Ayton’s made seven 3-point shots in three seasons.

Jaren Jackson Jr., the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft reportedly agreed to a deal less than the max on Monday valued at $105 million over four seasons. Jackson is a promising two-way big man with outside range, but is coming off missing most of last season with a knee injury.