Deandre Ayton has signed a 4-year deal worth $133 million with the Indiana Pacers. The Phoenix Suns will have 48 hours to match. If not, this contract guarantees that Ayton will play in Indiana until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Deandre Ayton Signs with the Indiana Pacers
The contract that Ayton has signed with the Indiana Pacers is his first contract after his rookie deal. Ayton and his worked hard to sign a max-extension with the Suns during the 2021 offseason but to no avail. The Suns reportedly were not willing to meet Aytons demand in terms of salary, which caused his desire for a departure from the roster.
Ayton was selected first overall by the Suns in 2018 and made the all-rookie team in the 2018-2019 season.
For the Suns, Ayton played 236 games, averaging 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds. Ayton was a key part of the Suns’ 2021 playoff run, which resulted in a 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the finals. In the final series against Milwaukee, Ayton averaged 14.7 points and 12 rebounds.
What This Means For The Future
As seen above, Ayton contributes a significant amount, regardless of where he plays. In Indiana, Ayton has the chance to be even more of a premier rebounder than he already has been for the Suns.
Ayton has also been a quality interior defender in Phoenix. As a Sun, Ayton blocked one shot per game and has the chance to improve on this in this new chapter of his career as a Pacer.
But Pacer fans, as underwhelming as some stats may be, Ayton is still just 23 years old. There is no question that Ayton will improve, regardless of what the stat sheet will say come next offseason.
