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Hours after the restricted free agent center reportedly agreed
to a four-year, $133 million maximum contract offer sheet with
the Indiana Pacers, the Suns exercised their right to match the
offer, ESPN reported Thursday.
The Suns had two days to match Indiana's offer sheet -- the
largest in NBA history -- or else allow the No. 1 pick of the
2018 NBA Draft to walk without compensation.
The offer sheet for Ayton surpassed the one for forward Otto
Porter Jr. in 2017. Porter was presented with a four-year, $107
million deal with the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, only to see the
Washington Wizards match that offer.
As part of the rules and regulations surrounding NBA offer
sheets, Ayton cannot be traded for the next year unless he gives
his consent.
Ayton, who will turn 24 later this month, averaged 17.2 points
and 10.2 rebounds in 58 games (all starts) this past season.
He has contributed 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in 236 career
games (229 starts) with the Suns.
--Field Level Media
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