Reports: Pacers might pursue DeAndre Ayton before a Suns-Nets deal involving Kevin Durant
The Indiana Pacers may want to beat the Brooklyn Nets to the punch.
Indiana is giving Phoenix Suns big man DeAndre Ayton a long look, and they could make a move that may preempt a Nets-Suns trade involving Kevin Durant, according to media reports.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst addressed the issue on "Get Up."
"The Indiana Pacers are seriously considering giving (Ayton) an offer sheet. They're also interested in a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns potentially involving Myles Turner," Windhorst said. "But holding everything up is the Suns' negotiations for Kevin Durant, which are probably not going to end soon. Ayton may have to move on and do his own deal."
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NBA reporter Marc Stein has also reported Ayton could pursue an offer sheet with many teams, including the Pacers.
Ayton, who turns 24 in late July, is a restricted free agent who just finished his fourth season in Phoenix, averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. If he stays in Phoenix, he is currently set to earn a base salary of $16.4 million in 2022-23, but he will carry a cap hit of $31.5 million, according to Spotrac.
If the Pacers end up with Ayton, they may break their ties with Myles Turner. The 26-year-old seven-year veteran is entering the final year of a deal that will pay him $18 million in 2022-23. He appeared in 42 games in 2021-22, averaging 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
The Pacers are interested in signing Deandre Ayton to an offer sheet or even negotiating a sign-and-trade involving Myles Turner, per @WindhorstESPN.
"But holding everything up is the Suns' negotiations for Kevin Durant. ... Ayton may have to move on and do his own deal." pic.twitter.com/cSciehuI1p— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2022
What is an NBA offer sheet?
Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet with a different team. The deal must be for at least two years and the player's current can match that offer within two days or allow him to go to the team that gave him the offer sheet.
The most prominent restricted free agent to change teams this offseason is Jalen Brunson, the former Dallas Mavericks guard who signed with the New York Knicks for 4 years and $104 million. Other restricted free agents to change teams include P.J. Tucker (from Miami to Philadelphia) and Gary Payton II (from Golden State to Portland).
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers may pursue DeAndre Ayton offer sheet prior to Kevin Durant deal
