FILE≠Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
Deandre Ayton will remain with the Phoenix Suns after the team matched the center’s record offer sheet.
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.