Deandre Ayton might be leaving the desert this summer after the Suns’ front office showed reluctance to match a max offer, reports suggest. The 6’11” center can become a restricted free agent this offseason.

The Suns’ roster is projected to undergo significant changes after Devin Booker and the Suns suffered an embarrassing game 7 blowout against the Dallas Mavericks at home. The mortifying end to the season after last year’s disappointing finals loss is bound to warrant some core changes in the team.

The Suns had the best record in the NBA this season with a whopping eight-game difference from the second-best team on the table. Therefore, they were the favorites to beat a comparatively inexperienced Dallas team. But after the huge debacle at Footprint Center a couple of weeks ago, Devin Booker and the Suns surely require some deep introspection about the team’s future.

NBA fans react to Devin Booker likely to lose Suns teammate

The Phoenix Suns are reluctant to offer Deandre Ayton, or any other center for that matter, a $170 million max deal. Therefore, the 23-year-old star might consider other options this offseason.

Moreover, Monty Williams’ statement after game 7 against Dallas has also fueled speculations. Williams kept Ayton on the bench for the entirety of the fourth quarter. “The DeAndre situation is something we’ll deal this summer“, he said after the match.

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Meanwhile, the possibility of Devin Booker losing Ayton has attracted the attention of fans amid the NBA finals. Here are some of the best reactions.

https://twitter.com/johnnyinthecut_/status/1533809493707997185?s=20&t=38gHGQYDkZWhcPaHBv68yg

https://twitter.com/PartyWithWolves/status/1533810951115444225?s=20&t=38gHGQYDkZWhcPaHBv68yg

https://twitter.com/ALLF0RONE/status/1533811261535920128?s=20&t=38gHGQYDkZWhcPaHBv68yg

https://twitter.com/erikhernandezz8/status/1533826954285133824?s=20&t=38gHGQYDkZWhcPaHBv68yg

Booker and the Suns’ future without Ayton

The Phoenix Suns picked Ayton as the number 1 pick in the 2018 draft, ahead of Luka Doncic. In hindsight, that might not have been the best decision. Because Ayton has averaged 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds in his playoff career. On the other hand, Doncic has been single-handedly torching the best teams in the league for the last four years.

Therefore, the Suns probably won’t be too sad to let Ayton go. Meanwhile, Booker’s $158.3 million 5-year deal expires in 2024. Therefore, Phoenix would be hunting for a reliable second option for the 25-year-old guard, to keep him in town.

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At 37, Chris Paul is not a good long-term solution. Besides, the ‘Point-God’ has failed in delivering in crucial elimination games. Therefore, Phoenix would be looking for a reliable star who can show up in clutch situations.