Deandre Ayton has signed four-year max offer sheet with Pacers, Suns still expected to retain him

Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent C Deandre Ayton has signed the four-year, $133M offer sheet with the Pacers and now the Suns are on the clock to match it. Expectation remains that the Suns will do so and retain Ayton, but they could take the process through Saturday night.
Source: Twitter @wojespn

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Genuinely don’t understand why Phoenix didn’t let Indiana sweat and tie up their cap space for a couple of days.
Is this their way or trying to assure DeAndre Ayton that they’re committed or something? – 8:20 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Once the offer sheet was signed, anything other than matching wouldn’t have made any sense. Deandre Ayton stays with the Suns and cannot be traded until Jan. 15. He’ll have veto powers over any trade and can’t be dealt to the Pacers for 1 year. Now it’s time to mend bridges – 8:19 PM Scott Agness @ScottAgness
To sign Deandre Ayton to an offer sheet, the Pacers have waived Duane Washington Jr., Nik Stauskas, Juwan Morgan and Malik Fitts.
Suns have matched the offer sheet, per @Shams Charania.
Nonetheless, a worthwhile effort by the Pacers front office. – 8:19 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
The Phoenix Suns have matched Deandre Ayton’s $133M offer sheet, meaning they cannot trade him until Jan. 15.
Implications on a potential Kevin Durant trade to the Suns here: nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 8:19 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
But N E WAYZ, I have thoughts on the #Pacers and #Suns star Deandre Ayton (as well as Myles Turner). indystar.com/story/sports/n… – 8:17 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Where the Heat’s roster stands, as it looks like Miami will need help to land either Durant or Mitchell miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Also, how the Ayton news could impact things – 8:12 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
Highest paid centers in the NBA next season:
1. Rudy Gobert = $38.2 million
2. Joel Embiid = $33.6 million
3. Nikola Jokic = $33.1 million
4. Deandre Ayton = $30.9 million – 8:10 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jalen Smith on his Pacers opportunity, support from Suns and a potential reunion with Deandre Ayton – https://t.co/0pLxdrM4iy via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/mDZC1bNq9Z – 8:02 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent C Deandre Ayton has signed the four-year, $133M offer sheet with the Pacers and now the Suns are on the clock to match it. Expectation remains that the Suns will do so and retain Ayton, but they could take the process through Saturday night. – 8:01 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Nevermind we’ll just go with it now and if it is aged to extinction in a few hours so be it.
A column on how the Suns’ refusal to give Deandre Ayton a max contract extension last October has made this offseason messier than expected: arizonasports.com/story/3212220/… – 7:32 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
How did we get here? Indiana #Pacers extend 4-year, $133M max offer sheet to Deandre Ayton; Phoenix #Suns on clock (w/videos) https://t.co/6D0AZzlqgf via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/NuCpcGwK6T – 7:22 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Special live @FrontOfficeShow starting now! @Trevor_Lane and I will talk Ayton, Mitchell and more. Come join in the fun!
youtu.be/kOAXts7Zf-k – 6:48 PM Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
Who will get traded first? (DeAndre Ayton offer sheet lowers chances of KD to Suns): – 6:46 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
There he is.
Deandre Ayton getting ready for #Suns pregame ritual that drew national attention as their historic 2021-22 season progressed.
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
The question is will Ayton be with Phoenix next season as #Pacers have delivered 4-year, $133M max offer sheet to him. pic.twitter.com/yxSBKEcxlp – 6:27 PM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Look, I haven’t totally understood why Phoenix has played it the way they did from the jump with Ayton. I don’t think I’m going to start now lol. One of the weirder ways to handle an awesome young player with playoff success in a while. – 5:59 PM Scott Agness @ScottAgness
The Pacers did it. They actually did it.
They will sign center Deandre Ayton to a max offer sheet, then the Suns are on the clock to decide whether to match it.
fieldhousefiles.com/p/pacers-agree… – 5:51 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Answering two common questions regarding Deandre Ayton and a potential offer sheet from IND:
-If he signs an offer sheet and PHX matches, Ayton can’t be traded to IND for one year
-If he signs and offer sheet and PHX matches, Ayton can block any trade to any team for one year – 5:47 PM Kevin Pelton @kpelton
Wrote about the implications of a Deandre Ayton max offer sheet for the Suns and Pacers: espn.com/nba/insider/in… (ESPN+) – 5:34 PM David MacKay @DavidMacKayNBA
Even as a Suns fan, part of me hopes they do not match on DeAndre Ayton. From the outside, it hasn’t appeared that Phoenix properly values him. And that Pacers team would be savage. – 5:30 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Always Read @C2_Cooper but especially when she has a piece about Deandre Ayton’s fit with the Pacers ready for him signing their offer sheet: indycornrows.com/2022/7/14/2319… – 5:17 PM David MacKay @DavidMacKayNBA
I guess I’m a Pacers fan now. Between Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and DeAndre Ayton, they’re fielding several old favorites from my other teams. Plus, Bennedict Mathurin is gonna be heat. – 5:17 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
I’ll have a column once we get it confirmed that Ayton has signed the offer sheet.
In the meantime, a good day to be co-hosting @BurnsAndGambo – bit.ly/ListenAZSports – 4:52 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
My video reaction to the #Pacers and #Suns star Deandre Ayton agreeing to a max offer sheet. (I’m looking rough because I was scared to get a haircut the last two weeks in case this news broke. 💀) indystar.com/videos/sports/… – 4:45 PM Dan Favale @danfavale
deandre ayton: *sees chance to maybe play with tyrese haliburton AND complicate the suns’ pursuit of kd* pic.twitter.com/fU2ogFyqxg – 4:30 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Pacers are making their play for Deandre Ayton. Here’s everything you need to know about RFA, the max offer sheet, sign-and-trades, and what this means for the Suns and their Kevin Durant dreams: https://t.co/30U1d72eZt pic.twitter.com/p8BESgWnho – 4:29 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Real quick.
Once offer sheet is signed, #Suns have 48 hours to match it.
If Suns do, they can’t trade Deandre Ayton to #Pacers and he has veto power over a trade for a year.
Jan. 15 earliest Phoenix could deal him.
If Suns don’t match it, Ayton walks. https://t.co/RvPG1wBtTp pic.twitter.com/2HqogXsKbV – 4:29 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Top three picks from the 2018 draft:
Ayton —
16/11/2
60 FG%
Bagley III —
14/7/1
50 FG%
Doncic —
26/9/8
46 FG% pic.twitter.com/CdhhrWmPLD – 4:28 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Tyrese Haliburton x Richaun Holmes was such a good PnR combo, would be awesome to see him with Deandre Ayton. – 4:23 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Most PPG on 60+ FG% in 2022:
17.2 — Deandre Ayton
16.1 — Jarrett Allen
15.6 — Rudy Gobert pic.twitter.com/KwKf436cjY – 4:14 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
With the Deandre Ayton chase, seems pretty apparent Myles Turner is gettable in trade discussions. And who knows if Turner would even want to stay with the Pacers anymore. – 4:13 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Just as a note: If the Suns choose to match the Pacers offer sheet for Deandre Ayton, the Pacers can’t then reverse the waivers of the players they let go.
If you renounce free agents, you can reverse those renouncements if an offer sheet is matched. You can’t reverse waivers. – 4:09 PM NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“ are not eliminated but it certainly does complicate a lot of things here with Durant.”
—@Bobby Marks on the Suns matching Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet with the Pacers pic.twitter.com/4p9HU8AOAg – 4:08 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Suns expected to match Deandre Ayton max offer sheet nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/14/rep… – 4:07 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
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. – 4:07 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
My expectation, which is just plain obvious, is that the #Suns will match the #Pacers’ max offer sheet for Deandre Ayton. Can’t let a former No. 1 pick walk for nothing. – 3:59 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
#Pacers still have to clear cap space for #Suns star Deandre Ayton. I wrote about that this morning. indystar.com/story/sports/n… – 3:57 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
With Ayton off table in Durant talks, not sure why a Phoenix offer built around Mikal Bridges/Cam Johnson/picks would be better than hypothetical Heat offer of Herro, Lowry, picks, other non-Bam and non-Butler assets. We’ll see if Durant cheerfully accepts trade to another city. – 3:57 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
For those wondering, if the Suns match, the Pacers wouldn’t be able to discuss a potential trade for Deandre Ayton again until July 15, 2023.
If Indiana truly wants Ayton, time is ticking on trying to figure out a sign-and-trade with Phoenix. – 3:56 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I know Bismack Biyombo played well last year and all, but he can’t be the starting center on a title team, right?
I’ve never understood the “meh” feelings towards Ayton. Just sign the man and compete for a title again. – 3:56 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Durant labels Suns or Heat as landing spots
Suns now in awkward position with Ayton news
That leaves…one? – 3:54 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
So a Pacers roster with Deandre Ayton, Myles Turner, Benedict Mathurin, Tyrese Halliburton and Buddy Hield is what? – 3:53 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
The Pacers view Deandre Ayton and Tyrese Haliburton as the centerpieces to their rebuild, who want to play together (via @Adrian Wojnarowski):
“Deandre Ayton loved the idea of playing with Tyrese Haliburton.” pic.twitter.com/5FxTGYAI6i – 3:51 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW from @Anthony Chiang and me: Heat needs help in Durant, Mitchell pursuits. And Ayton decision today potentially alters Suns’ Durant efforts, which can only help Heat (at least slightly) if Durant gets his way on trade destinations: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 3:49 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
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. – 3:48 PM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
(1) would be crazy for the Suns to let Ayton walk for nothing. (2) nothing we’ve heard so far indicates that they’ll match, but who knows. – 3:45 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
CORRECTION: One big detail, #Suns star Deandre Ayton is SIGNING a max offer sheet with the #Pacers today, per league sources. BUT the clock doesn’t start for that until midnight. So between now and then Phoenix and Indiana can still do a sign-and-trade. Sorry for the confusion! – 3:44 PM Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Noteworthy, too, how Jalen Smith was drafted by the Suns, didn’t feel valued or have much of an opportunity. Pacers provided that and he turned down larger offers to stay.
Suns didn’t want to offer Ayton a max and so now he *may* be headed to Indy.
He turns 24 next Saturday. – 3:43 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Since the Pacers don’t technically have the space yet for the Ayton sheet, it does seem like there’s an element of “work out a sign-and-trade” or else going on here. – 3:39 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Largest offer sheet in NBA history:
1. Deandre Ayton, $133M
2. Otto Porter, $107M pic.twitter.com/6zlNCLHAwZ – 3:36 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Ayton could just sign it and put the suns in a bad spot. If they match it, it’s not like they’ll bench him. I guess it comes down to how badly he doesn’t want to go back to Phoenix. Not doing a S&T puts him in jeopardy of going back, obviously. – 3:29 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Report: Indiana #Pacers, Deandre Ayton agree to 4-year, $133M max offer sheet; Phoenix #Suns have 48 hours to match https://t.co/6D0AZzlqgf via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/z9V6F1GUSB – 3:29 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
So if Deandre Ayton in for Pacers then Myles Turner even more available? – 3:28 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
the Ayton offer sheet signing doesnt officially process until midnight ET, from @Bobby Marks on NBA Today, leaving ~7.5 hour moratorium to get a sign & trade done. pic.twitter.com/9RZAg4kOgl – 3:28 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Suns RFA Deandre Ayton signing max offer sheet with Pacers nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/14/rep… – 3:28 PM The Ringer @ringernba
ICYMI: @YourManDevine wrote about why the Pacers and Deandre Ayton make perfect sense
theringer.com/2022/7/13/2320… – 3:27 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
It’s kind of wild that before Ayton, the biggest offer sheet in NBA history belonged to Otto Porter (four years, $107 million with the Nets). – 3:26 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I don’t think the Suns can get Kevin Durant without either including DeAndre Ayton or spinning him off for more assets, which they can’t do this offseason if he has indeed signed an offer sheet.
But if they do pull it off? CP3-Booker-KD-Ayton is the instant title favorite. – 3:24 PM Matt Williams @StatsWilliams
Deandre Ayton has shot at least 60% from the field while attempting 10+ shots per game in each of the last 2 seasons.
Prior to Ayton, the last player to do that in consecutive seasons was Shaquille O’Neal in 2004-05 and 2005-06. – 3:23 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
I can confirm that the #Pacers and #Suns star Deandre Ayton have agreed to a four-year, $133 million max offer sheet, per league source. @Adrian Wojnarowski was first.
It’s the largest offer sheet in league history. Phoenix has two days to match. —> https://t.co/PfJGt66qJ5
📸 me pic.twitter.com/bdCoTdyc7A – 3:21 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
RE: Ayton: #1 picks who bounced after Year 4 or sooner, last 30 years
– Shaquille O’Neal (1992)
– Chris Webber (1993)
– Joe Smith (1995)
– Elton Brand (1999)
– Kenyon Martin (2000)
– Kwame Brown (2001)
– Anthony Bennett (2013)
– Andrew Wiggins (2014)
– Markelle Fultz (2017) – 3:19 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Basically how the Pacers viewed things in this situation with Deandre Ayton over Myles Turner… pic.twitter.com/tslCTYBroJ – 3:17 PM Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
I need details on this offer sheet. Is Indiana paying Ayton a 50% lump sum? How bad is the poison pill? Are there any other strange incentives? Who’s serving the Suns the papers? Are they hiding in a Thomas and Mack Center supply closet to delay the start of the 48-hour clock? – 3:17 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
I wonder if Phoenix tried to do a S&T for Turner and Indy just said “nah. We’ll just throw the bag at him and if you do match, we’re fine with Myles. If you don’t, someone else will give us something good for Turner and we get ayton.” – 3:16 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If the Pacers ultimately wind up getting DeAndre Ayton on this offer sheet, I would expect Myles Turner to be reasonably available on the trade market, and if Phoenix didn’t want to trade for him, that suggests to me that his value around the league is fairly low at the moment. – 3:16 PM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
DeAndre Ayton is headed to Indiana to join the Pacers. Phoenix Suns don’t seem willing to match the offer sheet. Pacers did their best in this case and they’re ready to add a top-level center to their young core. Pacers gonna be a problem. #Pacers
sdna.gr/mpasket/984895… – 3:15 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Deandre Ayton without Booker or CP3 in the last 2 seasons:
19.0 PPG
10.6 RPG
63.9 FG%
Legit star when he gets touches. pic.twitter.com/64aGo4G5pQ – 3:13 PM CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
I don’t understand why the Suns don’t value Deandre Ayton. – 3:13 PM Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Now that Ayton has signed the offer sheet he can’t be in a sign-and-trade (seemingly killing a Durant trade), can’t be traded to the Pacers at all this season and can veto trades after his 1/15/23 eligible trade date.
The Suns absolutely have to match this and retain the asset. – 3:13 PM Dan Favale @danfavale
there is no decision for the suns here, btw.
*if* ayton has signed an offer sheet with the pacers, you match it and figure out the rest later. end of story. – 3:13 PM The Ringer @ringernba
Myles Turner seeing that Deandre Ayton offer sheet pic.twitter.com/cmmHeDm2To – 3:11 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
My guess, based on common sense and not reporting, is that the Suns are going to match Ayton’s offer sheet.
My other guess is that the Suns probably could have had Myles Turner. That they don’t means they either prefer Ayton or really distrust Turner’s medicals. – 3:11 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
if the Suns match the Deandre Ayton offer sheet, they will go $15 million into the luxury tax.
the oracle knew this day would come. pic.twitter.com/6ZDzB38KFP – 3:10 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jalen Smith gave @PHNX_Suns his thoughts on his new opportunity with the Pacers, the support he still receives from the Suns and a potential reunion with Deandre Ayton: bit.ly/3yxM7PK – 3:09 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Deandre Ayton, Pacers agree to four-year, $133 million offer sheet, per report; Suns have 48 hours to match
cbssports.com/nba/news/deand… – 3:08 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
The Pacers are pushing their chips all-in on Tyrese Haliburton’s ascension to stardom with a max offer sheet submitted for Deandre Ayton.
Haliburton and Ayton would instantly form one of the NBA’s most lethal pick-and-roll tandems (via @basketbllnews): basketballnews.com/stories/nba-tr… – 3:07 PM Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Ayton’s offer sheet surpasses the four-year, $107 million deal signed by Otto Porter Jr. with the Brooklyn Nets in 2017 — a deal the Washington Wizards ultimately matched.
– @Adrian Wojnarowski – 3:06 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Woj reports in his article that the Suns never even made Deandre Ayton an offer. Good lord. – 3:05 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
#Pacers extend max offer sheet to #Suns star, restricted free agent Deandre Ayton, per report indystar.com/story/sports/n… via @indystar – 3:05 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns need to match that Deandre Ayton offer. No if ands or buts about it. Kevin Durant deal is still not impossible, but it’ll probably be on the back burner now. Just can’t let him walk for nothing – 3:05 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Full story on restricted free agent C Deandre Ayton agreeing to largest offer sheet in NBA history with Pacers — four years, $133 million, his agents Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian tell ESPN: es.pn/3z7C5X2 – 3:04 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
If I were the Suns I’d bite the bullet and match on Ayton, even though I don’t think he’s worth the money. When you’re a championship contender you can’t just lose someone who really helps you for nothing. – 3:03 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Suns can’t do a sign-and-trade, I believe, now that Ayton signed the offer sheet. So … does Indy move Turner if ayton is a pacer? Do they go two bigs, again? – 3:03 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Finally movement with Ayton!
It’s very interesting that IND went the offer sheet route for a few reasons:
1 IND has been reluctant to do offer sheets in the past, preferring S&T.
2 Ayton can’t be a S&T to IND now bc he signed offer sheet
3 IND cleared more cap space somehow – 3:01 PM Evan Sidery @esidery
This is a historic moment for the Pacers, who have tended to be very conservative in free agency.
Indiana just offered Deandre Ayton their first max contract since Paul George’s extension in 2013. – 3:00 PM Alexis Morgan @alexismorgan
Two Bahamians on one team would be 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @Buddy Hield @Deandre Ayton 🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸 – 2:59 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history. – 2:57 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
The #Pacers don’t have enough cap space to extend a max offer sheet to #Suns star Deandre Ayton, but there are ways for them to get there. indystar.com/story/sports/n… – 10:48 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jalen Smith’s tenure in Phoenix didn’t end the way anyone wanted, but he, the Suns and the Pacers seem better off. At Summer League, Stix spoke to @PHNX_Suns about his future in Indy, the support he still gets from the Suns and Deandre Ayton: https://t.co/0pLxds3Fa6 pic.twitter.com/CNGipiECES – 10:03 AM

More on this storyline

Shams Charania: The Phoenix Suns have matched the Indiana Pacers’ four-year, $133 million maximum offer sheet on Deandre Ayton, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . Ayton stays in Phoenix. -via Twitter @ShamsCharania / July 14, 2022 According to Wojnarowski, the Suns are expected to match the Pacers’ offer sheet for Ayton. While they may not view Ayton on a maximum contract as favorable, it would be worse to let him walk for nothing. If they match, the Suns will be $16.2 million over the luxury tax for a $32.6 million payment. This would be their first tax payment since 2009-10 and the largest one in franchise history. As time went by and cap space dwindled, there was skepticism on whether Ayton would get a maximum contract offer and if he may potentially take less or even the qualifying offer. The latter would’ve made him an unrestricted free agent in 2023 but he wouldn’t be trade-eligible until January 15, would have veto rights on a trade, and getting traded would revert his Bird rights to Non-Bird. As Bobby Marks notes, the Suns matching would still make Ayton trade-eligible starting on January 15 and give him veto rights over any trade next season. The Pacers would also not be allowed to acquire Ayton in a trade next season. -via HoopsHype / July 14, 2022 The Pacers currently have $26.4 million in cap space so they need to make some moves to generate the $30.9 million needed to sign Ayton to a maximum contract. According to Wojnarowski, the Pacers plan on doing that by waiving Duane Washington, who is non-guaranteed, and waiving-and-stretching Nik Stauskas, Juwan Morgan, and Malik Fitts. Washington’s contract is non-guaranteed, so waiving him opens up $1.6 million. Stauskas, Morgan, and Fitts, all of whom were brought over from Boston in the Malcolm Brogdon trade, had their guarantees increased to all but $86,988 of their full salary amounts. By stretching their cap hits over the next three seasons, the Pacers will have $31.9 million in cap space. -via HoopsHype / July 14, 2022