Phoenix Suns: Undervaluing Deandre Ayton could be a huge mistake

Will the undervaluing of Deandre Ayton come back to haunt the Phoenix Suns? 

During the Phoenix Suns‘ somewhat surprising and unexpected run to the NBA Finals last season, Deandre Ayton emerged as a force that quickly became an x-factor for the team. He was a defensive presence in the paint and a versatile enough offensive player where he couldn’t be schemed off the floor.

And the Suns’ front office – likely, mostly the owner Robert Sarver – have repaid him for his efforts by not offering him the max extension that he was seeking (and likely earned) during the offseason. After Oct 18th’s rookie-scale extension deadline passed, Ayton will now hit restricted free agency after this season.

To a certain extent, I understand the Suns’ reasoning. In today’s era, big men are not necessarily players you want to give max deals to. However, looking at how Phoenix has also spent money over the past couple of seasons, I also kind of don’t get it.

The Suns willingly gave Chris Paul four years, $120 million this offseason. Mikal Bridges just got a four-year contract extension for $90 million. And Devin Booker is likely due for a supermax contract extension soon.

Ayton has to be looking at all that cash flow and be wondering, what about me?

He has a point. During the postseason, he emerged as a true difference-maker. He elevated his game in the playoffs, averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds on 66 percent shooting from the field during his first taste of it.

He played a vital role for the team in the Western Conference Finals against the LA Clippers in which he scored the game-winning basket in Game 2 of that series.

Still, the reasoning behind the Suns’ not wanting to simply give Ayton a max deal (even if he played like a max player during the playoffs) is fair. And the Suns essentially will wait and see if Ayton can continue to play at that level.

If Ayton does, the Suns could always match any deal that he signs during the offseason. Though, if he doesn’t and Ayton still earns a max offer, it’ll be interesting to see what the Suns elect to do.

The hope is that this contract dispute between Ayton and the Suns won’t have lingering effects into the season or onto the on-the-court play. If it does, there should be no forgiving this decision.