Suns: ESPN media members respond to Ayton re-signing

The re-signing of Deandre Ayton has been the biggest news across the NBA in the last 48 hours, with the Phoenix Suns matching the four-year, $133 million offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers.

A multitude of discussion points have emanated from the deal – Whether it was the right decision, the relationship between Ayton and the franchise, and the Suns ability to now acquire Brooklyn Nets’ superstar Kevin Durant. 

A host of ESPN media members have responded to Deandre Ayton’s return to the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix could have given Ayton a five-year max contract last offseason, but decided to keep their options open going into the 2021-22 season. The 23-year-old now stays on a four-year deal, with front office insider Bobby Marks suggesting the Suns had few other options.

"“What were your options right? You could have just let him go, Bismack Biyombo is your center. You wouldn’t have cap space. You would have saved money here but I believe Phoenix did the right thing”."

The Suns decision not to re-sign Ayton last offseason could come back to bite them, with the relationship between player and franchise clearly fractured to some extent.

ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that to be the case in the aftermath of Ayton’s re-signing.

"“Ultimately, they didn’t value Deandre Ayton at a max contract, maximum money…This process does create acrimony, certainly it was felt in Phoenix, especially at the end of last season”."

Jalen Rose, who played 29 games with the Suns in the 2006-07 season, believes it’s only a matter of time before the relationship ends.

"“For them not to pay him, for him to need the Pacers to step up and give him an offer to get top dollar, the hour glass just ticks now on the relationship”."

Joining the Hoop Collective podcast, writer Tim McMahon took a satirical approach to the relationship between player and franchise.

"Everything’s just roses with Deandre and the Suns. We’re just going to completely forget about the really weird drama between him and Monty Williams at the end of the year. I’m sure DeAndre is probably just looking to buy a house in Phoenix, he’s comfortable there. I’m sure he won’t be looking for a trade at any point."

Tim Legler took a greater basketball approach, suggesting Ayton may not necessarily be worth the extension he’s been given.

"Phoenix has been adamant from the beginning, they didn’t view him as a max player. Now you’re talking about a guy that’s going to make $33 million as a center in a league that has continually gotten away from the position in terms of its importance to winning”."

The Suns have clearly restricted their capacity to acquire Durant, who reportedly identified the Suns as a preferred destination after his request.

Brian Windhorst believes the Suns wanted to use Ayton in a deal for the two-time Finals MVP.

"“This is definitely going to close some avenues that they could use in a Durant deal. They preferred to use Ayton in a deal for Durant, but the Nets just didn’t show any interest in going down that route”."

However, his colleague Zach Lowe suggested the Suns should up their push for Durant.

"“If I’m Pheonix and I have Ayton, my franchise center back…I might even be more aggressive to add KD to the team”."

Suns fans would salivate at the idea of a championship favourite quartet – Durant, Ayton, Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

That now appears an unlikely prospect, although the pursuit of Durant will be a continual storyline in the wake of Ayton’s re-signing.