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Deandre Ayton Didn’t Get His $172.5 Million Contract, but He Still Has $120 Million Reasons to Listen to Chris Paul and Maintain His Star Trajectory

Deandre Ayton didn’t get his $172.5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, but that’s not going to stop him from becoming a major star in this league and beyond. He still has $120 million reasons for staying put and listening to Chris Paul on how he can maintain his star trajectory.

Deandre Ayton was an early favorite to be a top pick in this year’s NBA Draft, but he ended up going No.1 overall-to the Phoenix Suns. After being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to Dallas Mavericks, many have wondered why newly acquired Luka Doncic only received $50 million over five years instead of $172.5 million that Deandre had originally expected?

Deandre Ayton didn’t get his $172.5 million contract, but he still has $120 million reasons to listen to Chris Paul and maintain his star trajectory.

Deandre Ayton was unable to cash in on the $172.5 million guaranteed to him this summer. Chris Paul, Ayton’s Phoenix Suns teammate, is supporting him behind the scenes, and CP3’s own $120 million deal, which he signed this summer, should provide Ayton motivation to keep playing winning basketball.

Ayton has the opportunity to demonstrate the Suns that he is a top-tier talent, if not even more valuable. Alternatively, he may wallow in his dissatisfaction and jeopardize his value as a restricted free agent next season. Paul is hoping for the former.

Chris Paul talked with Deandre Ayton on the Suns’ unsuccessful contract negotiations.

The Suns’ assessment of Deandre Ayton as less than a max player allegedly made him feel humiliated and irritated. Chris Paul, on the other hand, is attempting to keep the youthful center in check.

Paul informed Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes that he talked with Ayton about his contract status and stated that the 2018 No. 1 overall selection still believes he has everything to gain.

“We spoke about it with D.A. and his predicament. He is well aware of his responsibilities. Everyone’s aim is to ensure that everyone gets compensated. His circumstance is what it is, but he will make the most of it. We wish him the best of luck. The most important thing we know how to do is win games.”

–Yahoo Sports, Chris Paul

These scenarios, according to the seasoned point guard, may occasionally cause stress among the club. Such strain might develop inwardly or from others in one’s immediate circle, Paul informed Haynes.

The Suns renewed Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet while saying Ayton was not worth the five-year, $172.5 million max deal he was eligible for this summer.

However, Ayton did not get the deal. It’s now up to Paul to reply and establish his value on the floor, as he indicated.

Intriguingly, Ayton could be able to use Paul’s contract extension as an excuse to have a monster season and compel the Suns to pay up.

Ayton could take inspiration from Paul’s $120 million deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7o6KCJm Mo

Not long ago, there were concerns about how the CP3 experiment in Phoenix might turn out.

Chris Paul had a significant effect on Oklahoma City’s success in the 2019-20 season, leading a youthful Thunder team to the playoffs – might he do the same for the Suns? The response was an unequivocal “Yes.”

Paul had a fantastic rookie season with the Suns. During the regular season, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.5 rebounds, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and helping Phoenix to its first NBA Finals trip since 1993. He boosted players like Ayton and Devin Booker, who both had outstanding postseason performances on their way to the Finals.

Paul was expected to take his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season before the season started. Despite this, he was rewarded with a four-year, $120 million agreement with the Suns this summer after earning All-NBA honors.

If Paul, who is 36 years old, can go out and get a big contract, then obviously Ayton, who is just 23, can do the same. He’ll most likely achieve it by having a breakthrough season and assisting the Suns in building on their success from last season.

Will the Suns make Ayton a bigger part of the team in the future?

Suns teammates Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton talk during the 2021 NBA Playoffs On June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles, California, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton converse during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the LA Clippers at Staples Center | Getty Images/Harry How

Deandre Ayton has mentioned that he wants to play a bigger part in Phoenix’s offense this season. The ability of Suns head coach Monty Williams to obtain more shots for his rookie center might decide Ayton’s potential to get a huge contract next summer.

During the 2019-20 season, Ayton attempted around 15 field goals on average. Last season, that number dropped to 10.0 shots, despite a career-high field-goal percentage of 62.6 percent. To begin the season, his stats are down once again.

Through Phoenix’s first three games, the former Arizona star has only attempted 8.7 times. When everything is said and done, it’s doubtful that Ayton won’t wind up averaging double-digit field goal attempts, but it’ll be interesting to see whether he gets increasing use as the season progresses.

The whole squad, according to Paul, wants to see Ayton get paid next summer. As the Suns strive to return to the NBA Finals, the fourth-year center should use CP3’s deal as motivation to be more forceful and perform.

Basketball Reference provided the statistics. Spotrac provided contract details.

RELATED: The Phoenix Suns Have a Huge Advantage Over the Rest of the NBA, Boosting Their Title Chances Significantly

Deandre Ayton is an Arizona Wildcat player who was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Suns. He didn’t get his $172.5 million contract, but he still has $120 million reasons to listen to Chris Paul and maintain his star trajectory. Reference: deandre ayton.

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