Suns match Ayton’s historic offer sheet for 4 years, $133M

What could’ve been a dramatic couple of days turned into a quick decision for the Phoenix Suns.

As soon as the Suns received the four-year, $133M offer sheet, the franchise matched it. Deandre Ayton returns to Phoenix and can't be traded without his consent for a full year. https://t.co/dBXGN3qbCK

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 15, 2022

The No. 1 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft is staying in the desert…for now.

If the Suns plan to do so, they can’t trade Ayton until January 15th and he has the power to veto any trade he’s involved in for a full year.

The question remains if this move ends Phoenix’s pursuit of Brooklyn superstar Kevin Durant.

If that is the next step, the franchise will have to find a way to make it work without Ayton in the deal.

Not only that, but if Kevin Durant does join Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Ayton in Phoenix, it would put the Suns in the league’s top five in luxury tax.

For now, the ball’s back in the Suns’ court and it looks like Ayton is part of the future in Phoenix.