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Suns match offer sheet DeAndre Ayton signed with Pacers, retain 24-year-old center
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) looks away after being fouled during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
By: James Howell Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS — After DeAndre Ayton signed the largest offer sheet in NBA history with the Indiana Pacers Thursday afternoon, the Phoenix Suns matched the offer.
With this, Ayton will remain with the Suns.
Ayton was a restricted free agent. He now is under contract with the Suns after signing a four-year, $133 million maximum contract offer.
Ayton, 23, was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Arizona. He would be the first-ever No. 1 overall to play for the Indiana Pacers.
After making the All-Rookie first team in 2019, Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while helping anchor Phoenix's defense during its run to the 2021 NBA Finals.
He averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds this past season.