It didn’t matter that the Suns had the best record in the league. With Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have arguably the best player in the league.
Everyone on Phoenix was left embarrassed by Dallas on Sunday night, but arguably no one’s humiliation was more consequential than Deandre Ayton’s. The former Arizona Wildcats star was picked No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA draft, two spots ahead of Doncic.
While it’s been four years since then, Doncic made sure to let the world know that the Suns made the wrong call in that draft. In his final game of the season, Ayton was held to just five points. Doncic had a 35-point effort, even after taking his foot off the gas.
Last night eventually turned from bad to worse for Ayton in Phoenix.
This was Deandre Ayton's last defensive possession of the game that appeared to prompt Monty to sub him out for the final time. pic.twitter.com/Bqj2w47mA9
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 16, 2022
The Suns were down by 36 points with more than eight minutes left in the third quarter. Ayton made a poor defensive play, offering no effort to close out on another uncontested 3-pointer by Dallas. It wasn’t his only defensive possession that looked ugly.
Bismack Biyombo then replaced Ayton, and it was the last we saw of the former No. 1 overall pick on Sunday. He logged less than 18 minutes in the game, less than four minutes in the third quarter, and none in the fourth.
Monty said something to Deandre Ayton, he didn’t like what he heard back and now Biyombo is coming in. The Suns are a mess right now.
— Jeremy Grant Schnell (@JGSports_6) May 16, 2022
Although nothing was captured on the television broadcast, some observers reported that Phoenix head coach Monty Williams asked Ayton if he wanted to play.
As to what was said, we can only speculate and assume. But if he never checked back in the game and other coaches had to get involved, the logical conclusions that can be drawn are not pretty.
Reporters have even used the word “altercation” to describe what happened.
DA had words for Monty on that substitution. Monty walked towards him and asked, "what did you say?" when two coaches stepped in between them. #Suns
— Mr.ORNG (@PHXMRORNG) May 16, 2022
It only went from bad to worse for those hoping for the best between the two parties. Phoenix lost the elimination game, 123-90, in an utterly humiliating fashion.
After the game, Williams was asked why Ayton played such limited action during the match. He was quick, short, and to the point in his response: It’s internal.
Asked why Deandre Ayton played only 17 minutes (0 in the fourth), Monty Williams says in the most stern voice I’ve ever heard him use: “It’s internal.”
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) May 16, 2022
*deep breath* … Yiiiiiiiikes!
NBA fans would have loved to hear Ayton share his side of the story, but as with other internal issues around the league, that was never going to happen. The big man did not speak to the media, and suddenly the season was over.
Deandre Ayton not speaking to the media tonight.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 16, 2022
I’m not going to pretend like I have any idea what actually happened last night between Ayton and Williams, nor will I act like I know what it means for their long-term future.
But I do know Ayton is set to enter restricted free agency, and he has a cap hold of $31.5 million. That’s a lot of money for someone who has a limited role in their offensive identity and isn’t a juggernaut on the defensive end of the floor, to be honest.
Phoenix’s front office will not be over the moon about giving Ayton max money worth $176.9 million over five years, especially with massive money owed to other players on their roster. This doesn’t seem much like a marriage destined to last for an eternity.
Fair to question what the future holds for Deandre Ayton in Phoenix now. A title would've forced ownership to keep this group together. Withering like this in the 2nd round? DA will still want a max, but good luck convincing the front office he deserves it after this
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 16, 2022
I don’t see a scenario where the Suns just let him walk without receiving anything back in return, though. So what does this mean for his future in the NBA?
Perhaps the most likely situation is that Phoenix finds a suitor for Ayton via sign-and-trade so they can extract some value back, especially after years of developing a top overall pick.
Interesting pic.twitter.com/u599dW8aMx
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) May 16, 2022
However, one potential destination is the Trail Blazers if he eventually leaves. As noted in this tweet by Sean Highkin, Portland superstar Damian Lillard liked a post last night suggesting that Ayton and Lillard should team up in the Pacific Northwest and win a title together.
In a potential sign-and-trade situation, Ayton could make up to $131.2 million over four years. But would a team like the Blazers have the assets necessary to push a deal through?
Other potential homes for Ayton include the Pistons, Pacers, Magic, and Spurs. Even the Grizzlies could make some sense financially if they believe he offers more than Steven Adams. I would bet the Hornets will have some interest, too.
"His contract situation is between him and the front office. I care about him as a brother. Just making sure his mental is right…whatever happens, happens. Kind of hard to look so far in the future." – Devin Booker on Deandre Ayton's contract situation
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 16, 2022
We don’t know much yet, but we did get a wishy-washy answer from Devin Booker on the subject. I’d expect more awkwardness down the pipeline soon.
Remember: The Suns can match any offer sheet that the big man signs with another team. It might make sense for them to do that, only to trade him later.
The worst-case scenario, and also arguably the most unlikely, would be if Ayton accepts a qualifying offer of $16.4 million and then hits unrestricted free agency next year instead.
Whatever happens, Sunday night did very little to help Ayton as he heads into contract negotiation this offseason.
