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Suns Tender Qualifying Offer to Deandre Ayton

The Phoenix Suns have officially made Deandre Ayton a restricted free agent.

On Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns officially tendered a qualifying offer to Deandre Ayton, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith. The tender is worth $16.4 and is fully guaranteed. 

This was a formality needed by the Suns to make Ayton a free agent beginning on July 1. Ayton can choose to sign this offer and play on it for the 2022-23 season (which would make him an unrestricted free agent next offseason) but that is very unlikely. 

Ayton is in search of a max contract for the future, something he and the Suns failed to come to an agreement on during last season during negotiations. Phoenix reportedly wanted less years on the deal, and the negotiations were described as "distant" between the two sides. 

Now, Ayton has the ability to gather offers from other teams. Phoenix would have two days to either match the offer (the Suns can offer more money to Ayton, so they are able to match any team's deal) or let him walk for free.

The second scenario is very unlikely, as the Suns are favored to try and sign-and-trade their former No. 1 pick to at least get some sort of compensation back. Ayton himself can help facilitate a deal with another team but can't be traded to a team he's signed an offer sheet with. 

It's been a great question of debate in Phoenix: Will the Suns retain Ayton? 

While we still are unclear on that answer, the first formality in the process of finding out is underway. 

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