Clearly, the Indiana Pacers are also sick and tired of waiting around for the monstrous Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant trade to happen. Thankfully, for all of us, they have pushed the initiative back onto the Phoenix Suns by offering RFA Deandre Ayton a 4-year, $133M max offer sheet.
This should be the domino that causes the KD trade talks to fall into place as the Phoenix Suns have been heavily linked with the disgruntled Brooklyn Star. Supposedly, Ayton was going to be the center piece (along with a haul of 1st-round draft picks, of course) of any Suns-Nets trade.
Yet, this move by the Pacers has not only accelerated the KD trade negotiations, but also was just plain ruthless.
Due to the stipulation in the NBA where a player cannot be traded for at least 3 months after they sign a deal (unless it is a sign-and-trade agreement), the Suns now only have 48 hours to agree a trade with Brooklyn for KD or risk not being able to use Ayton as a bargaining chip. Plus, signing Ayton to the max puts the Phoenix Suns in the luxury tax for next season, which is unheard for that franchise.
With the Suns not able to trade Ayton or keep him without having to use the luxury tax to pay his salary, I can’t see them getting KD anymore. I believe it is more likely the Suns are going to let Ayton walk for free to the Pacers than pay him his $133M offer sheet.
Speaking of the Pacers, this is a brilliant, ruthless move. Ayton instantly becomes the “franchise face” and solves a massive issue for them at center. I would guess Myles Turner, the current center, would be moved to power forward, become a sixth man, or get traded. But that is an issue for the future.
It is clear that the Pacers are building a new team around Ayton, if the Suns don’t match the offer sheet.
Which, like I said, I find it difficult to believe. Phoenix has already expressed their disinterest in offering the max deal by not paying him sooner, and they certainty have avoided going into the luxury tax at all cost. Also, if the Suns do match, his new contract automatically gives Ayton complete veto authority over any potential trade. Yeah, that’s a massive problem for the Suns
Deandre Ayton has just checkmated the Suns with his Indiana Pacers “ace” card. And good for him because he just proved his worth on the market in the face of the Suns management’s doubt.
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