Too much is being made out of the Deandre Ayton situation

The 2022-23 NBA season is nearly here, and already the media covering Deandre Ayton and head coach Monty Williams are overblowing last years’ tiff. 

It has been one hell of a summer for former Wildcat Deandre Ayton. Shortly after the Suns were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the West Conference Semi-Finals, there was much ado given about Ayton and head coach Monty Williams’ tiff that happened during Game 7 of the teams’ 33-point home loss.

As a result, there have been no shortage of headlines over the past several months, especially as speculation circulated regarding Ayton’s future in Phoenix.

Already, there was a little doubt he would return to the organization with an expiring rookie contract, and beyond that, his relationship had seemingly been boiling over after the Suns refused to sign him to a max deal following the teams’ NBA Finals appearance in 2021.

The Indianapolis Pacers seemed destined to sign the Bahamian big man, offering him a four-year, $133 million contract; however, his time with the Pacers was short lived as his offer was quickly matched by the Suns.

Even as former Wildcat Deandre Ayton sticks with the Phoenix Suns, the headlines and drama are not ceasing.

Following the Suns first practice the other day, Ayton and the team were bombarded with a series of questions. One of the main topics of discussion was Ayton’s tense summer with the Suns.

Despite reportedly working out at the Suns facility over the last several weeks, much ado has been made about Ayton revealing that he has not spoken with coach Williams following their heated exchange in the teams’ game 7 loss. Naturally, it has many questioning the harmony in the Valley.

Already, we have seen the Phoenix media as well as others out to vilify Ayton in every outcome he has. And in his encounter with the media, his typical boyish and child-like demeanor off the court has changed to a more serious individual with terse responses.

Is he unhappy in Phoenix? Maybe. Or, perhaps he is a basketball professional that was humbled by a humiliating loss in the NBA playoffs, and now that he has signed his huge contract, he is flipping the switch that many feel he has. Either way, too much is being overanalyzed with the Ayton situation.