Ayton for Rob Williams and Al Horford should get the job done.

While Ayton has shown improvement, and was an important piece to the Suns' post season success last season, I don't see him as a max type player either.

I’m not sure Ayton is worth a max extension.  He could be, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he didn’t get a max offer in free agency next summer (which the Suns can match).  That said, I do think the Suns are going to have some problems next summer, and I’ve had my eye on Mikal Bridges for a sign-and-trade since we got the Fournier TPE for this very reason.

There seems to always be a team that's willing to overpay.

Quote from: liam on October 05, 2021, 04:37:51 PM

Quote from: Celtics2021 on October 05, 2021, 03:08:38 PM

I’m not sure Ayton is worth a max extension.  He could be, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he didn’t get a max offer in free agency next summer (which the Suns can match).  That said, I do think the Suns are going to have some problems next summer, and I’ve had my eye on Mikal Bridges for a sign-and-trade since we got the Fournier TPE for this very reason.

There seems to always be a team that's willing to overpay.

That’s true, but here’s the list of teams with max cap space next summer.

Orlando
San Antonio
Memphis (only if they let Jaren Jackson walk)

That’s it.  You’re right, it’s possible Orlando overpays, but the max contract market is pretty small next summer.

Also could be a sign and trade or a team cuts payroll with trades or a contract stretch like Charlotte did to get Hayward.

Quote from: liam on October 05, 2021, 04:37:51 PM

Quote from: Celtics2021 on October 05, 2021, 03:08:38 PM

I’m not sure Ayton is worth a max extension.  He could be, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he didn’t get a max offer in free agency next summer (which the Suns can match).  That said, I do think the Suns are going to have some problems next summer, and I’ve had my eye on Mikal Bridges for a sign-and-trade since we got the Fournier TPE for this very reason.

There seems to always be a team that's willing to overpay.

That’s true, but here’s the list of teams with max cap space next summer.

Orlando
San Antonio
Memphis (only if they let Jaren Jackson walk)

That’s it.  You’re right, it’s possible Orlando overpays, but the max contract market is pretty small next summer.

Memphis letting Jaren Jackson walk and making a max offer at Ayton would be pretty amazing for them (assuming they end up with Ayton). Would be a tough team to deal with

Quote from: gouki88 on October 05, 2021, 05:09:59 PM

Quote from: Celtics2021 on October 05, 2021, 04:44:15 PM

Quote from: liam on October 05, 2021, 04:37:51 PM

Quote from: Celtics2021 on October 05, 2021, 03:08:38 PM

I’m not sure Ayton is worth a max extension.  He could be, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he didn’t get a max offer in free agency next summer (which the Suns can match).  That said, I do think the Suns are going to have some problems next summer, and I’ve had my eye on Mikal Bridges for a sign-and-trade since we got the Fournier TPE for this very reason.

There seems to always be a team that's willing to overpay.

That’s true, but here’s the list of teams with max cap space next summer.

Orlando
San Antonio
Memphis (only if they let Jaren Jackson walk)

That’s it.  You’re right, it’s possible Orlando overpays, but the max contract market is pretty small next summer.

Memphis letting Jaren Jackson walk and making a max offer at Ayton would be pretty amazing for them (assuming they end up with Ayton). Would be a tough team to deal with

But there's no way they can let Jackson walk unless they're certain Phoenix won't match Ayton, because otherwise they might lose Jackson and end up with no one.

If Jackson went for $20 million next year (which feels low by a few million), an Ayton-Jackson double S&T would be interesting.

If Jalen Smith can actually show something this season that could be a really interesting path for both teams to go down.

However, having Chris Paul until 2025 for ~$30m a season (when he'll be nearly 40) is going to be difficult for them

Over his time in Phoenix, in games I have seen Ayton play, I was never overly impressed by him. About the only time I liked what he brought to the game was in the Finals. But the NBA is riddled with guys throughout their history that were good, not great, who had a great playoffs or playoff series only to go back to being good not great.

So, for that reason, I can understand the Suns reluctance to give Ayton that max extension. No need to rush. Let him start the year thinking he needs to prove something and if his game takes a leap forward, extend him for the max. If not, a less than max offer with incentives isn't such a bad thing for Ayton or the Suns.