Suns match Pacers’ offer for Ayton, keep nucleus intact
Deandre Ayton finally has his new deal from the Phoenix Suns, who simply weren’t willing to let him get away for nothing.
A person with knowledge of the situation said the Suns quickly decided to match a $133 million, fouryear offer sheet that Ayton agreed to Thursday with the Indiana Pacers.
The Athletic first reported Phoenix matching the offer. ESPN first reported that Ayton had agreed with the Pacers.
The move means the Suns — at least for now — keep their nucleus of Ayton and the All-Star backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul. The trio vaulted Phoenix to the
NBA Finals in 2021 and a franchise-record 64 wins this past regular season.
The No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, Ayton was eligible to get an extension from Phoenix last summer.
That didn’t happen, and he became a restricted free agent this summer, meaning Phoenix had the chance to match any offers. Once Indiana made its move, the Suns countered quickly.
Phoenix has been linked to acquiring Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, but Ayton can’t be used as trade bait because of the new deal.
ETC.
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Farah previously said he moved to Britain with his parents as a refugee from Somalia. But in the documentary, he said his parents never came to the U.K.
Golf: Pauline Roussin
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