Deandre Ayton rumored "gettable" after tense playoff exit with Suns

Suddenly, what seemed like a done deal might not be so easy anymore. Although the Phoenix Suns are still expected to retain standout center Deandre Ayton during his free agency period this summer, his tense exit in a Game 7 collapse had the rumor mills churning all over Twitter.

Ayton logged just 17 minutes in an embarrassing home loss that sent the Suns packing early and had the world scratching its collective heads. After the game, it was revealed there was an altercation on the sidelines that led to him being benched for good.

This was Deandre Ayton's last defensive possession of the game that appeared to prompt Monty to sub him out for the final time. pic.twitter.com/Bqj2w47mA9
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 16, 2022

DA had words for Monty on that substitution. Monty walked towards him and asked, "what did you say?" when two coaches stepped in between them. #Suns
— Mr.ORNG (@PHXMRORNG) May 16, 2022

Asked why Deandre Ayton played only 17 minutes (0 in the fourth), Monty Williams says in the most stern voice I’ve ever heard him use: “It’s internal.”
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) May 16, 2022

The Suns can still match an offer for their coveted center over the offseason, but there's a growing belief among some NBA media that such a scenario shouldn't be thought of as set in stone. As it stands, ESPN projects the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic as teams with the necessary cap space to sign Ayton to an offer sheet. Portland could also join that group if they waive Josh Hart by June 25th.

I know Twitter can be extremely reactive in real-time, but still, there were a few established writers and NBA insiders expressing real doubts about Ayton continuing with Phoenix next season.

I'm starting to wonder if Ayton might be done in Phoenix. There's a lot of little stuff that if you add it up could point in that direction.

Suns won't lose him for nothing, but he's probably more gettable this summer than it seems. https://t.co/EutlFkDrs7
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 16, 2022

I fear Deandre Ayton just played his last game for the Suns. Would be disappointing if that’s how it ends.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 16, 2022

Even Suns star Devin Booker's answer to a question about Ayton raised some eyebrows.

Just listened to this live. Could have just been the fatigue of answering questions in that situation, but reporter gave him a chance to offer a ringing endorsement of wanting Ayton back and he didn't give one. https://t.co/5TmtKZudsN
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 16, 2022

The consensus remains among most that the Suns will figure out a way to keep their center who's started for them over the past four seasons, even if it means giving him the max deal they didn't offer before.

I think Deandre Ayton will be back in Phoenix on a max. You've seen the roadmap for them. He's had outstanding playoff games the last two years and will continue enhancing his skills (turns 24 in July). Should be contenders as long as that core is together. You don't overreact.
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) May 16, 2022

I think this goes the Gordon Hayward route. Phoenix dares Ayton to find a max on the open market. He’s successful, but it’s a short-term max. Phoenix matches. The bad blood lingers into his next free agency. https://t.co/142QdI0zfs
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 16, 2022

The door is at least cracked open for the Spurs

As I covered earlier this month, a league source recently said the Suns would be more than comfortable paying deep into the luxury tax as long as its roster is competing for championships. Well, they've now been beaten soundly by the 4th seed despite a franchise-best 64 wins in the regular season.

With the need to spend more money for contracts soon, the question of how much Phoenix is willing to spend for Ayton is very much up in the air. They were considered favorites by many to get back to the NBA Finals, but they took a significant step back by not even making the final four.

While I saw many takes from Spurs fans about not wanting Ayton given his poor series performance and confrontation with Monty Williams, that seems a bit like a knee-jerk reaction. He's still barely going to be 24 years old and has been a nightly double-double for four years running. Let's not forget why he finished in second place in our ultimate wish list rankings for this summer.

Next. Mock Draft 3.0: A Look at every team's best option. dark

Of course, everything can change if the Spurs strike it big in Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery and sneak into the top four, but with that scenario only having a one-in-five shot, it's time to pay some real attention to the developments in Phoenix. It might not be as cut as dry as it always seemed.

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