Facing the Heat of the First Place in the East, the Suns won 21 points to lock up the playoffs 16 rounds in advance, becoming the first team to enter the playoffs this season, last year's Finals trip did not become their peak, but the team once again launched an impact on the championship, the team retained most of the rotating players in the offseason, and welcomed back Craig in the middle of the season, reinforcing Shamet and Holliday, but there is also one thing that has become a hidden danger for the team's future development, that is, it failed to reach an early contract extension with Ayton.
Ayton as the 2018 champion show, the same year Doncic, Trae Young have got a 5-year top salary, if Ayton did not reach the strength level and team status of the two, Alexander and Porter Jr. also got the maximum salary, Ayton career average of 16 points, 10.5 boards per game, 59.8% shooting rate, completely All-Star level, the most critical thing is that Ayton is the first salary, the annual salary only accounts for 25% of the salary cap (5 years is only 170 million), compared to the top salary of players over 10 years accounted for 35% (240 million in 5 years), or very cost-effective.
Did not complete the early renewal of the contract once made Ayton very frustrated, but as a professional player, he needs to continue to improve his strength to prove his value, in fact, Ayton is considered to have no 5 years of maximum salary strength, and Paul's existence has a lot to do with it, Paul's bonus to the center is very large, basically as long as it will block and dismantle, there is a finishing ability, you can play super efficient under Paul's leadership, before Paul was injured, the team's three major centers, Ayton averaged 16.5 points and 10.3 boards per game, shooting 63.3%, shooting 63.3%, McGee scored 9.9 points and 6.9 boards, shooting 65.7 percent from the field, and Biyombo's 8.5 points and 6.4 boards from the field, shooting 61.5 percent from the field, all of which are very efficient.
After Paul's absence, the team lacked a top organizer to reflect the true level of the players, Ayton averaged 18.1 points and 8.5 boards per game, shooting 67.6% from the field, better than Paul was at the time, he showed his own offensive ability, even if he did not eat cake can complete the score, and McGee's average data dropped to 5.5 points and 5.9 boards per game, shooting 42.9%, shooting 42.9%. Even lower than Yongbo, he averaged 1 point and 2.2 boards per game, and without any offensive skills, he fell directly out of the team's rotation lineup, and it can be said that without Ayton's efficient play, it is difficult for the Suns to stabilize their record after losing Paul.
The most critical thing is that in the absence of Paul, Ayton's performance against the top team reflects his own value, facing the Jazz 15 shots 11 to get 23 points and 7 boards, against the Bucks is 19 shots 14 shots to bomb 30 points 8 boards, away challenge to the East first Heat 10 shots 9 of 19 points 10 boards, each game played very perfectly, not only on the offensive end, defensive end Ayton's role is also very obvious, he can protect the frame, can change defenses, but also withstand the impact of opponents, Other low-priced centers may have his offense or defense, but there are only five players on the pitch, and Ayton, who is both offensive and defensive, is the strongest.
The better Ayton's performance, the more the Suns become the biggest winner, due to the rule restrictions, Ayton can provide only the Suns when renewing the contract, even if other teams in the offseason are interested in getting Ayton, they can only provide a 4-year maximum salary at most, the Suns also have the right to match first, that is, although Ayton has always wanted a 5-year maximum salary, but he does not have the right to choose, the Suns as long as they want to sign, 4 years of maximum salary is enough, for Ayton, there is no need to be too entangled in the years, after all, even if you sign 4 years, After playing Ayton is only 27 years old, it is the peak of the player, he himself is still relatively healthy, can get the next big contract, now the most important thing is to continue to play efficient performance, if you can help the Suns to win the championship, maybe the team will reward him with a 5-year maximum salary?