What NBA teams would offer Ayton a max of he's not extended?

[Mickey8]

I think every team that needs a good center would offer him the max contract except dumb Suns . He deserves it , if we ignore his steroid blunder , he has been a good professional and he's improving every season.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I think every team that needs a good center would offer him the max contract except dumb Suns . He deserves it , if we ignore his steroid blunder , he has been a good professional and he's improving every season.

The majority of our fanbase would agree with you, And absolutely want to pay him his max to retain him. It's Saver and his arrogant, tightwad nature playing with fire that'll cause us to lose Ayton if he doesn't pony up the dough. Saver thinks he'll get him at a discount, But the damage in the process will be far greater. And Ayton will likely leave anyways for the disrespect!

It's so hard being a suns fan with such a terrible sociopathic, tightwad egoist for an owner.

[SlovenianDragon]

I think every team that needs a good center would offer him the max contract except dumb Suns . He deserves it , if we ignore his steroid blunder , he has been a good professional and he's improving every season.

The majority of our fanbase would agree with you, And absolutely want to pay him his max to retain him. It's Saver and his arrogant, tightwad nature playing with fire that'll cause us to lose Ayton if he doesn't pony up the dough. Saver thinks he'll get him at a discount, But the damage in the process will be far greater. And Ayton will likely leave anyways for the disrespect!

It's so hard being a suns fan with such a terrible sociopathic, tightwad egoist for an owner.

To me the worst part is Booker watching all of this...

We may not just lose ayton but mikal then cam?

Then Booker may have nothing to hold onto here either if Sarver doesn't open his wallet so we lose Booker too.

Booker won't stay if he knows Sarver is going to be cheap... he will walk.

**** sarver.

[SlovenianDragon]

I feel like at some point the league needs to investigate Sarver and find out who he owes money to.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I think every team that needs a good center would offer him the max contract except dumb Suns . He deserves it , if we ignore his steroid blunder , he has been a good professional and he's improving every season.

The majority of our fanbase would agree with you, And absolutely want to pay him his max to retain him. It's Saver and his arrogant, tightwad nature playing with fire that'll cause us to lose Ayton if he doesn't pony up the dough. Saver thinks he'll get him at a discount, But the damage in the process will be far greater. And Ayton will likely leave anyways for the disrespect!

It's so hard being a suns fan with such a terrible sociopathic, tightwad egoist for an owner.

To me the worst part is Booker watching all of this...

We may not just lose ayton but mikal then cam?

Then Booker may have nothing to hold onto here either if Sarver doesn't open his wallet so we lose Booker too.

Booker won't stay if he knows Sarver is going to be cheap... he will walk.

**** sarver.

Absolutely! If Booker sees ( as he is currently) Saver be a cheapskate and not be willing to commit to a contending roster, Then it won't really matter if Saver tries to pay Book in 2024 or not. Booker cares about winning, competing, and his legacy more than the money now, As he knows that he'll have plenty of opportunities elsewhere if he so chooses. IF we lose Ayton, we absolutely won't be contending. Then once Paul leaves/ retires, We'll only have Book and Bridges and no one else really, As no free agent will touch us with the image Sarvers' creating with his treatment of our players along with reflection on his past history as well.

We'll basically be a treadmill team just outside the lottery again. Then Book will absolutely leave in 24' too. I can't understand how Saver is not able to grasp this??

[MemphisX]

Would not mind him in Memphis, even at the max.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Would not mind him in Memphis, even at the max.

If it were a sign 'n' trade scenario ( to get him his full 5 yr max) that he's likely seeking, what would be your offer??

[Ghost of Kleine]

So.........

This is Sarvers' " I've got guys that can replace you tommorow " master plan !!!

Watch on YouTube

I know that he's sure he can get Kaminsky cheaper than Ayton too!!

[MemphisX]

Would not mind him in Memphis, even at the max.

If it were a sign 'n' trade scenario ( to get him his full 5 yr max) that he's likely seeking, what would be your offer??

A trade exception...would not give anything of consequence. Steven Adams and a 1st. Might toss in Brandon Clarke.

[geminiz]

Zero chance Raptors would offer him max even if they have the cap space.

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[Ayatollahmugsy]

I actually don't think OKC would offer it.

I would, but I don't see Presti doing it.

I agree. Presti would only do it if he could then flip Ayton for multiple draft picks. He's a pick collector, basically.

[cjmcallist]

I actually don't think OKC would offer it.

I would, but I don't see Presti doing it.

I agree. Presti would only do it if he could then flip Ayton for multiple draft picks. He's a pick collector, basically.

I do think eventually he'll pivot. He gets the benefit of the doubt on that.

But, I think he's committed to the long term plan. His first go-round I believe it was like a 10-ish year target? So I imagine it's the same timeline here. Bringing in an RFA, trading for Simmons, etc., just don't line up with the long term plan.

[Pelon chingon]

I'd he were an UFA i dont think any team puts a max on the table. Hes simply not worth it and committing that kind of money to essentially a traditional C is a terrible idea if you want to remain competitive.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Would not mind him in Memphis, even at the max.

If it were a sign 'n' trade scenario ( to get him his full 5 yr max) that he's likely seeking, what would be your offer??

A trade exception...would not give anything of consequence. Steven Adams and a 1st. Might toss in Brandon Clarke.

I like Brandon Clarke personally, But I'm just not sure that ( nothing of consequence) would get the conversation started. Especially with the knowledge that there'll be a number of teams interested in him in a sign n trade scenario. What makes it more unappealing without comparable ( significant / equivalent compensation) is in that the suns would be trading him to another team on the west coast that they'd obviously be competing against for playoff position.

I think.the discussions ( to be appealing for the suns) would need to start with one of two possibilities:

1- Ayton for Jaren Jackson and another smaller complimentary filler or pick.

2- a package around:
Clarke/ Bane/ Tillman/ First.
( for equitable value).
Having said that, I'd understand if you didn't want to offer significant value, But rather hope that you'd simply make the offer and have the suns not match without giving up any assets. But seeing as the suns do have his restricted free agency rights as well as the legitimacy of other teams likely willing to give up at least comparable to significant value in a sign n trade. It'll likely come down to the best and most competitive return overall.

[Han Solo]

Pistons can and probably willl.

[eminence]

What teams could realistically open the cap space - Knicks maybe can open it? Charlotte? Detroit? Memphis could easily open it. Spurs. Would the Pelicans be able to open enough space? Thunder obviously have the space.

I think most of those squads would be interested, not sure how much interest Ayton would have in each.

[bwgood77]

De'Andre Ayton is basically the same type of player as Jarrett Allen, and Allen just signed a below max contract with the Cavs (flat $20M per year) that some might still consider an overpay.

Another comparison is Jonas Valanciunas, he's putting up as good or better numbers than Ayton and only making $15M per year. Hard to justify a max for a center like Ayton when there are similar players making so much less.

I didn't realize Jarrett Allen could switch onto guys on the perimeter and guard most all positions outside of quicky shifty guards.

[ciueli]

De'Andre Ayton is basically the same type of player as Jarrett Allen, and Allen just signed a below max contract with the Cavs (flat $20M per year) that some might still consider an overpay.

Another comparison is Jonas Valanciunas, he's putting up as good or better numbers than Ayton and only making $15M per year. Hard to justify a max for a center like Ayton when there are similar players making so much less.

I didn't realize Jarrett Allen could switch onto guys on the perimeter and guard most all positions outside of quicky shifty guards.

https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?player_id2=aytonde01&player_id1=allenja01&sum=0&request=1

Jarrett Allen has better career numbers for many categories including Shot Blocking, Offensive Rating, Defensive Rating, Box +/-, Turnovers, True Shooting, Win Shares/48, and Free Throw rate so I think it's very fair to compare them. If anything, the numbers make Allen look like the better defensive player, not the worse one as you're suggesting.

[bwgood77]

De'Andre Ayton is basically the same type of player as Jarrett Allen, and Allen just signed a below max contract with the Cavs (flat $20M per year) that some might still consider an overpay.

Another comparison is Jonas Valanciunas, he's putting up as good or better numbers than Ayton and only making $15M per year. Hard to justify a max for a center like Ayton when there are similar players making so much less.

I didn't realize Jarrett Allen could switch onto guys on the perimeter and guard most all positions outside of quicky shifty guards.

https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?player_id2=aytonde01&player_id1=allenja01&sum=0&request=1

Jarrett Allen has better career numbers for many categories including Shot Blocking, Offensive Rating, Defensive Rating, Box +/-, Turnovers, True Shooting, Win Shares/48, and Free Throw rate so I think it's very fair to compare them. If anything, the numbers make Allen look like the better defensive player, not the worse one as you're suggesting.

Many of those ratings are more team based and b-ref is mostly counting stats on box scores. Ayton for example does a lot of stuff that doesn't show up in the box scores. He is the only player in the NBA in the top 10 in both contested 2s and contested 3s. I think he's actually in the top 5 in one and top 7 or so in the other. He is one of the league leaders in screen assists.

I think Jarrett Allen is good, but I don't think he can do a lot of the things Ayton can do now. Ayton made tremendous strides, particularly on defense, over this last season though, particularly in the playoffs. Ayton was at like 18/12 is second year before CP3 came and took over as 2nd scoring option while Ayton's shots went down by 50% (though his points per shot went way up). He also is among the league leaders in rebounding and offensive rebounding.

[Soulyss]

plenty of teams with no starting center. hornets, raptors, wolves etc.
he will be 100% gone if no max. bridges not probable but better watch out too 3 and D like him is rare.
looks like suns is another typical franchise lost a potential ring bc of cheap owner. bulls, okc all were stripped of 1 rings too.

I absolutely agree with you that it seems that Saver hasn't apparently learned anything from the Joe Johnson debacle! It sucks to have such a terrible owner. But I honestly agree with your post in its entirety of course. Although I do think that the Wolves won't have an interest as long as KAT is there. But aside from the 4 expected teams for next summer: Memphis, Orlando, San Antonio, Detroit. I could definitely see the interest for the Hornets, Raptors, Bulls, Thunder, Knicks, Kings, Pels, Wizards?? Of course a few of those teams mentioned would need to make a few salary moves to accommodate his anticipated max salary. But I believe there'll be no shortage of teams willing to make moves to acquire him.

If I had to guess though as yo the top 5 teams most likely to pursue him with an offer/ sign 'n' trade in restricted free agency, I'd look to:

1- Hornets.
2- OKC.
3- San Antonio.
4- Orlando.
5- New York.

Ayton feels tailor made to move to the next level under Pop....