Woj: Suns Expected to Match Deandre Ayton's $133M Contract Offer Sheet from Pacers

The four-year, $133 million max offer sheet center Deandre Ayton has received from the Indiana Pacers is expected to be matched by the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns aren't interested in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers.

If the Suns match the offer sheet, Ayton can't be traded until January 15th.

The Pacers moved to clear the cap space to sign Ayton.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

The Pacers are waiving guard Duane Washington and waiving and stretching the three players who arrived in the Boston trade for Malcolm Brogdon: Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and Nik Stauskas, sources tell ESPN. That'll create the cap space to sign Ayton to the max offer sheet.

Ayton could be involved in a sign-and-trade deal if he doesn't sign the offer sheet. The Suns will have to decide between matching the offer and keeping Ayton or watching him walk without getting anything in return.

Contending teams are not in the business of just letting key players walk for nothing.

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA

If I were the Suns I'd bite the bullet and match on Ayton, even though I don't think he's worth the money. When you're a championship contender you can't just lose someone who really helps you for nothing.

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet

The Suns need to match that Deandre Ayton offer. No if ands or buts about it. Kevin Durant deal is still not impossible, but it’ll probably be on the back burner now. Just can’t let him walk for nothing

Dan Favale @danfavale

for people in my replies: "the suns have no decision here" does not amount to "i trust a sarver-controlled team to make the right call" lol

It is highly unlikely that the Suns will be able to land Kevin Durant in a trade unless they are willing to part with a player of Booker's caliber.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

"[The Suns] are not eliminated but it certainly does complicate a lot of things here with Durant."

—@BobbyMarks42 on the Suns matching Deandre Ayton's offer sheet with the Pacers pic.twitter.com/4p9HU8AOAg

He averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebound per game this past season, shooting 64.3% from the field and 38.6% from three. While he isn't an elite rim-protector, he's a solid enough defender and an excellent pick-and-roll partner for a player like Chris Paul.

The Pacers and Ayton have given the Suns a deadline to explore trades before Ayton signs the offer sheet. The Suns are going to have to decide whether or not to sign Ayton to a contract that will take them into the luxury tax or just say goodbye.