DeAndre Ayton says he is "disappointed" about failed contract talks over rookie max extension

James Jones said in an interview with The Athletic that "we didn't have real negotiations" with Ayton's representative

DeAndre Ayton is disappointed that the Phoenix Suns did not offer him a full, five-year max extension.

Per Arizona Republic, Ayton will be a restricted free agent in the 2022 offseason.

“One thing about me, throughout my whole life, I’ve always learned to control what I can control,” Ayton said. “At the same time, obviously I’m disappointed, but I’m still trying to get us back to the finals. I’ve still got to represent the team and myself as well. I’m just a competitor, man. Just like to compete to the best and every time I’m in between those lines, that’s what you’re going to see out of me. Nothing else.”

James Jones said in an interview with The Athletic that “we didn’t have real negotiations” with Ayton’s representative, but Ayton’s agents, Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian, said the Suns didn’t offer any kind of max deal, even informally.