Deandre Ayton's Split With Phoenix Suns Rapidly Approaching
The mountain's worth of rumors and reports suggesting Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will part ways with the franchise may finally be reaching a light at the end of the tunnel.
Ayton and the Suns could not come to terms on a contract extension last season, and the relationship reportedly turned sour towards the end of his time in Phoenix (as seen in Game 7 vs. Dallas).
Despite a slow start to free agency, the steam surrounding Ayton is finally starting to pick up.
On Monday's episode of ESPN's "Get Up", NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed the Indiana Pacers are closing in on the talents of Deandre Ayton.
Deandre Ayton Nearing End With Phoenix Suns
"We could finally have some action starting as early as today with Deandre Ayton. We believe that the Indiana Pacers are very close to giving Deandre Ayton an offer sheet or executing a sign-and-trade. The Pacers had to do some business over the weekend and complete the Malcolm Brogdon trade, that is now on the verge of happening and has opened enough cap space to almost give Deandre Ayton the max contract he is looking for. We could see something with the Pacers and Ayton as early as today. The whole league is waiting to see."
This mirrors a report from Windhorst over the weekend:
"The Indiana Pacers are seriously considering giving (Ayton) an offer sheet. They're also interested in a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns potentially involving Myles Turner," said Windhorst. "But holding everything up is the Suns' negotiations for Kevin Durant, which are probably not going to end soon. Ayton may have to move on and do his own deal."
Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro pointed to Indiana as a major player for Ayton just yesterday.
If the Suns were to try and execute a sign-and-trade, Gambo reports Phoenix does not want to willingly take on Pacers center Myles Turner with just one year left on his deal.
The Pacers and Suns reportedly engaged in conversations over the trade deadline for a Ayton/Sabonis swap, but ultimately couldn't get a deal done.
Indiana has maintained their interest in Ayton, and it appears as if it's only a matter of when (not if) they secure Phoenix's former No. 1 pick in either a offer sheet or a sign-and-trade.
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