Pacers Create Cap Space for Deandre Ayton

Just shortly after Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton agreed to a max offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers, room was made on Indiana's roster to accommodate the needed cap space.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Pacers have done exactly that.

The Pacers are waiving guard Duane Washington and waiving and stretching the three players who arrived in the Boston trade for Malcolm Brogdon: Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and Nik Stauskas, sources tell ESPN. That'll create the cap space to sign Ayton to the max offer sheet.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2022

Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro reports the Suns have yet to officially receive the offer sheet, but Phoenix will have 48 offers (midnight eastern time on Saturday) to either let their former No. 1 pick walk for nothing or retain Ayton on a max deal.

Indiana's offer sheet (four-year, $133 million) surpasses Otto Porter's four-year deal for $106.5 million from the Washington Wizards in 2017, making it the largest in NBA history.

Wojnarowski also reports the Suns are expected to match the offer after showing no interest in a sign-and-trade.

So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2022

The Ayton timeline is Phoenix has been nothing short interesting to follow after his arrival. The Suns nearly won a title with Ayton as a strong third option behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker, yet the two sides failed to reach an extension last season.

Phoenix also reportedly shopped Ayton at the trade deadline, and had talks with Indiana about a potential player swap.

The ball is now in the Suns' court after Indiana has cleared their cap space to welcome Ayton with open arms.

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