Mysterious Comment By Coach Casts Doubt on Deandre Ayton's Future

To say that Deandre Ayton had a rough Game 7 in the Phoenix Suns' demolition at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night would be an understatement. The Suns center managed just 5 points and 4 rebounds, but played just 17 minutes. 

Asked after the game why Ayton didn't play more in the 2nd half, Suns head coach Monty Williams, replied, mysteriously, "It's internal." Hmm.

It's the 3rd-least minutes Ayton has played in a game in his career, and according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, he was pulled early in the 3rd quarter and didn't return "after exchanging words with Williams on the bench."

Ayton is a restricted free agent this summer, and was notably peeved when the Suns didn't give him a rookie max extension offer last offseason. 

"His contract situation is between him and the front office. I care about him as a brother. Just making sure his mental is right...whatever happens, happens. Kind of hard to look so far in the future." - Devin Booker on Deandre Ayton's contract situation

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 16, 2022

Suns guard Devin Booker wasn't offering a rounding endorsement that Ayton needs to be re-signed, simply saying that "his contract situation is between him and the front office. I care about him as a brother. Just making sure his mental is right...whatever happens, happens."

It will be interesting, indeed, to see what happens with this Suns roster this offseason after their complete dismantling by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in Game 7, despite a league-best 64-18 record in the regular season.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports