The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS the preseason comes to a close, contract negotiations between Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns remain at a standstill while he continues to produce on the floor.

Ayton finished with eight points and 11 rebounds in last night’s 119-74 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ayton, 23, is eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension that could reach as much as $207 million if he reaches benchmarks and incentives. If a deal between both sides is not reached by October 18, Ayton will become a restricted free agent next season.

“I love Phoenix, I’m really disappointed we haven’t gotten a deal done yet,” Ayton said following Tuesday’s practice session. “We were two wins away from a championship and I just really want to be respected to be honest, like my peers are being respected by their teams.”

Several players in Ayton’s 2018 NBA draft class have received max contract extensions, including Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Michael Porter Jr of the Denver Nuggets.

“I’ll let [my agents] handle it the most professional way possible and just control what I can control,” Ayton said as he noted a desire to remain focused on his job on the floor.

“The relationships I have on this team will never change regardless of whatever the outcome is, at the same time you have to come in and work, there’s a job to be done and it’s to win games. With the team we have there’s a goal and task at hand.”

TMZ Sports first reported that Ayton and Suns owner Robert Sarver met at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Phoenix.

Despite the contract situation dominating the headlines in training camp, Ayton said the team has grown over the course of the last weeks, integrating new additions.

“Guys have been getting to know each other, getting the chemistry stronger in training camp a lot,” Ayton said. “Coach added a lot of new things, a lot of dudes upgraded their games and we can’t wait to get this thing rolling to be honest.”

The defending Western Conference champions, the Suns had a 17-game improvement from 34-39 in the 2019-20 season to 51-21 in 2020-21.

They will be featured in a franchise record 34 nationally televised games this season, an increase from 13 last season. This year the Suns will play on ESPN 11 times, TNT nine times, ABC three times, and NBATV 11 times. Their 34 nationally televised games rank fifth in the league.

Phoenix will open the season at home on October 20 when they host the Denver Nuggets.