NBA Rumors: Deandre Ayton Sign-and-Trade Is 'Very Close' Between Suns, Pacers

The Pacers are close to landing restricted free agent Deandre Ayton.

Windhorst said that the Pacers are close to giving Deandre Ayton an offer sheet.

According to a report, the Pacers plan to give Ayton a max contract with the salary-cap space they gained.

The market for Ayton has not developed as quickly as some might have thought. He has averaged a double-double in each of his four years in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns.

The best record in the NBA was posted by the Suns with the help of the 23 year old.

Ayton can sign an offer sheet in the open market but the Suns can match any offer. The center was offered a long-term extension by Phoenix last year, but they didn't take it.

The Pacers have a chance to add a high-upside player if the sign-and-trade goes through.

The Indiana Pacers finished last season with a 25-57 record. The team's plans to start fresh and build around first-round pick Bennedict Mathurin were further signaled by the deal of brogdon.

Turner is likely to be dealt soon, although he is still on the roster.

Turner could be involved in a sign-and-trade for Ayton according to Windhorst. Establishing a young trio for the Pacers would help them return to the playoffs.