The Suns reached the Finals last season, inseparable from Ayton's strong performance in the playoffs. It is also because of the strong performance of last season's playoffs that Ayton has the courage to ask the Suns for a long-term top salary contract. But the Suns' owner and management didn't satisfy Ayton's appetite, and Ayton's early contract extension wasn't negotiated.
Sometimes the relationship between the player and the team is actually very delicate, and the contract will inevitably affect the player's mentality, and eventually it will be reflected on the court. As the overall runner-up last season, the Suns have a somewhat less than ideal record this season. The Suns have played a total of 5 games so far, with a record of only 2 wins and 3 losses. The two games won were the League's weak Cavaliers and the Lakers, who were in equally bad shape.
I don't know if Paul is aware of anything, but when interviewed by reporters, he spoke openly for Ayton, which was quite a bit of pressure on the management. Paul said: "I just want to win, and whatever I do to help the team win, I will do it. I think we all understand that I can't do anything with the block without Ayton. ”
Paul is undoubtedly the Suns' current core player and spiritual leader. It was Paul's joining that brought the sun to its current height. His attitude affects management to some extent. Ayton really owes a debt of gratitude to Paul for not only being able to feed Ayton on the pitch to help him make a real deal out of his salary, but also helping him put pressure on management off the court.
Ayton's strength many people will feel that it is not worth the top salary, but in the current NBA league, Ayton is already an excellent center. If Paul and Booker had spoken for Ayton, then Ayton's max salary extension to the Suns would be promising.