SunsNo. 1 pick Ayton's life-and-death battle against the Mavericks in this year's playoffs was put on ice. In addition, the two sides have not been able to negotiate a contract extension. The outside world generally believes that he will become a restricted free agent this summer. He will not return. ESPN's authoritative reporter Adrian Wojnarowski revealed today that the Pacers have made the highest contract offer for Ayton in the history of a restricted free agent in NBA history, up to 4 years and 133 million U.S. dollars. The Suns have 2 days to consider whether to match the offer. .
Ayton's agents Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian confirmed to ESPN's authoritative reporter Wo Shen today that the 2018 No. 1 pick will accept the Pacers' four-year, $133 million contract offer. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Suns have 2 It takes about a day to think about whether to match the offer, and the slowest time is to make a decision before 12 o'clock in the morning Beijing time on Sunday. However, the Suns did not hesitate and immediately exercised the right to match. Of course, this action also has consequences for the pursuit of Durant Influence.
The Pacers made a four-year offer of US$133 million, surpassing the US$107 million offered by the Nets for Porter Jr. in 2017, becoming the highest contract offer for a restricted free agent in NBA history. At that time, the Wizards did not match the Nets' offer and let Porter go. However, sources said that once Ayton signed with the Pacers, the Suns were expected to match this record-breaking offer.
If the Suns do this, according to regulations, they will not be able to trade Ayton until January 16, 2023, Beijing time, and Ayton will have the right to veto the transaction next season.
Ayton averaged 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season. The Suns have been unwilling to give him a maximum salary contract. His agent insisted that they could find the highest contract offer for him on the market, and they really did. True to his word, if the Suns don't match the offer, they will lose the 2018 No. 1 pick in vain.
