Deandre Ayton optimistic he’ll sign extension with Suns

Suns center Deandre Ayton expects to sign a rookie-scale extension before the season-opening deadline, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton is eligible for a five-year, $168 million max contract that would kick in at the start of the 2022-23 season.

“Honestly, I’m expecting something to get done so that we as a team can finish what we started, which is bring a championship to Phoenix,” he said. “Period. Literally. That’s all it is.”

Mikal Bridges is also eligible for a rookie-scale extension. Suns GM James Jones would not elaborate on those contract situations.

“We’ll address that when the time comes, but for us right now, our focus is training camp and getting ready for the regular season,” Jones said.

The top pick of the 2018 draft, Ayton has averaged a double-double in all three of his seasons. His scoring average dropped last season (14.4 PPG), but his efficiency rose (62.6% from the field). He averaged 10.5 RPG during the regular season.

He ramped up his production during the Suns’ Finals run, averaging 15.8 PPG on 65.8% shooting and 11.8 RPG in 22 games.

Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Michael Porter Jr. have all reached rookie-scale max agreements with their respective teams this offseason.