NBA: Deandre Ayton and Phoenix Suns contract talks end with no deal

It’s not the start to the season that Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns was expecting. The 23-year-old center was supposed to enter his fourth season in the NBA with a new contract, but that has not happened.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ayton was expecting a max deal to be put forward, especially considering the season he had last year, but ultimately team owner Robert Sarver elected not to offer Ayton said contract.

The Suns recently resigned Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $90 million contract extension, and it seems that Deandre Ayton at the moment was left hung out to dry before the start of the season. Deandre Ayton has already shown his frustration at not getting a new deal.

Deandre Ayton not happy about his contract with the Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Deandre Ayton the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft in 2018, was clutch for the Suns last season with 14.4 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. Ayton told reporters that he was “disappointed” that he and the Suns could not reach an agreement for a contract extension. Ayton went on to state that he “loves the Suns” and “wants to be respected like his peers in his NBA Draft class.”

With his contract extension ongoing the Suns open the NBA season on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. Unless Ayton and the Suns agree on a new deal, he will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.