Re: Hawks Could Pursue Deandre Ayton But Only For Less Than The Max

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Atlanta Hawks are widely expected to undergo several roster changes this offseason. General Manager Travis Schlenk said after the playoffs ended that Atlanta should have been more aggressive and not run back mostly the same roster last year.

One player the Hawks could pursue is restricted free agent Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. The catch is that Atlanta is only interested in Ayton if he comes on contract worth less than the max, per reporting from The Athletic. Ayton is expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams.

Via Chris Kirschner/The Athletic

[Boston2AZ]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

[irish22022]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

Yeah who are the teams? He's gonna get less than he's thinking for sure. Maybe 4/100 or something and we'll match. Or offer him 5/120 if he wants the extra year from us.

[DoItALL9]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

Yeah who are the teams? He's gonna get less than he's thinking for sure. Maybe 4/100 or something and we'll match. Or offer him 5/120 if he wants the extra year from us.

Phoenix looks like their playing of hard ball is leading to a contractual win. Any chance they still lose in, on-the-court product from Ayton?

Is it possible the relationship still sours quickly and they trade him by the deadline?

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[Richard Miller]

Phoenix looks like their playing of hard ball is leading to a contractual win. Any chance they still lose in, on-the-court product from Ayton?

Is it possible the relationship still sours quickly and they trade him by the deadline?

Can't imagine DA being happy/motivated at this point

[D21]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

More teams can, if work on a sign-&-trade, even if it's more complicated to work than a simple signing.

Now, regarding ATL, I still search what could be their interest to pay more than 30M for Ayton instead of 10M for Capela.
It's like PHX is more dreaming of the opposite, more than ATL needing Ayton. They would certainly be a bit better on offense, but not on defense, which is stupid as they already had the 2nd best offense in the league, but the 26th defense. As they were already dominating on PG and C positions, it's not Ayton that would change that dramatically. So it might be a neutral move except it will cost more and need pieces to send to PHX.

They should keep their pieces for improving their wing defense first.

[Boston2AZ]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

More teams can, if work on a sign-&-trade, even if it's more complicated to work than a simple signing.

Now, regarding ATL, I still search what could be their interest to pay more than 30M for Ayton instead of 10M for Capela.
It's like PHX is more dreaming of the opposite, more than ATL needing Ayton. They would certainly be a bit better on offense, but not on defense, which is stupid as they already had the 2nd best offense in the league, but the 26th defense. As they were already dominating on PG and C positions, it's not Ayton that would change that dramatically. So it might be a neutral move except it will cost more and need pieces to send to PHX.

They should keep their pieces for improving their wing defense first.

Even a S&T is going to be difficult because the Suns can only take back $20 mil while the new team is signing him for $30. It would have to involve at least one other team if not more and I doubt that anyone wants to pay Ayton that much money that badly.

[D21]

Actually, he's NOT "expected to receive interest at his full max salary of over $30 million from at least a few teams" because there are only one or two teams who have enough cap space to offer the max and one of them (Detroit) just drafted a center last week. It's more and more likely that Ayton accepts a less than max offer that the Suns match.

More teams can, if work on a sign-&-trade, even if it's more complicated to work than a simple signing.

Now, regarding ATL, I still search what could be their interest to pay more than 30M for Ayton instead of 10M for Capela.
It's like PHX is more dreaming of the opposite, more than ATL needing Ayton. They would certainly be a bit better on offense, but not on defense, which is stupid as they already had the 2nd best offense in the league, but the 26th defense. As they were already dominating on PG and C positions, it's not Ayton that would change that dramatically. So it might be a neutral move except it will cost more and need pieces to send to PHX.

They should keep their pieces for improving their wing defense first.

Even a S&T is going to be difficult because the Suns can only take back $20 mil while the new team is signing him for $30. It would have to involve at least one other team if not more and I doubt that anyone wants to pay Ayton that much money that badly.

Yes, what I was saying. Difficult, but it can add several teams and not have only the ones with enough cap space.

[baldur]

Lol. Every team would sign him for less than Max which is why he wants to leave the suns.

[Vegeta10176]

I am a little bit surprised he won't get the max he is horrible on defence but his mid range is good I just see a few other players with the max i.e. Middleton Holiday close to max a few others like this seems unders for Ayton they should of drafted Luka they wouldnt of had to pay CP3 either then.. Luka and Booker would of been damn good..

[Lalouie]

so reality sets in.

ayton's not getting max because in general if you're not an elite center, read jokic or embiid, you're just plug and play. that is essentially what the position has become.

and i don't think monty losing all hope in ayton, a player he tried cultivating, has not helped either. ayton was monty's project and monty tossed in the towel. if you're any org in the league and you see that monty has given up,,,what would you do

ayton has a rote game and has to be babied

lmao

[dougthonus]

Phoenix looks like their playing of hard ball is leading to a contractual win. Any chance they still lose in, on-the-court product from Ayton?

Is it possible the relationship still sours quickly and they trade him by the deadline?

Can't imagine DA being happy/motivated at this point

Who knows the mind of an individual. Certainly there is a chance you could permanently lose him, and if the Suns think that is the case that he is going to be bitter and mentally fragile, over a business decision, then they should probably not match the deal.

Ayton may simply recover quickly, time heals all wounds and he's still going to be fantastically wealthy regardless of what he gets. It's also in his own best interest, even if he eventually wants a trade, to make himself desirable on the trade market.

The Suns have four years of experience with him to determine his mental make up on such an issue and take a guess at least.

[Richard Miller]

The Suns have four years of experience with him to determine his mental make up on such an issue and take a guess at least.

Well, the way their last game ended was pretty bad to say the least and this all is probably not helping either, i.e. constantly hearing "you're not that valuable/important", but yea, who knows, it's all business at the end of the day.

[dougthonus]

Well, the way their last game ended was pretty bad to say the least and this all is probably not helping either, i.e. constantly hearing "you're not that valuable/important", but yea, who knows, it's all business at the end of the day.

He's valuable and important IMO, just not max valuable and important. The max contract is pretty awful for the NBA IMO. I wish they would abolish it and let people pay any money they want with a hard cap in place, then you wouldn't have artificial caps on generational players nor would there be this incentive to pay everyone quasi close to the max, the max just to not hurt their feelings.