OKC Thunder: Ayton contract stalemate offers intrigue for OKC

During his annual preseason presser executive VP, Sam Presti outlined the patient path the OKC Thunder will exercise during the rebuild. With 35 potential draft picks in hand over the next six seasons it’s a logical choice to slowly develop young talents, register losing seasons, and improve yearly draft position.

Presti stated “It comes down to expectations and rational thinking. We can always reroute, lower our expectations and alter our path.” The VP added this is a cycle that every franchise goes through, albeit not every team does so with a jam-packed draft closet.

As Intentions previously covered, there is no specific deadline because the situation is fluid. So much is dependent on the development timeline of each of the young assets and draft position the team nabs each year along the way. Landing a franchise-altering star via free agency or trade would dramatically accelerate the process but it’s a less likely option early in the process.

For example, Ben Simmons has made it clear his desired trade destination is LA. Therefore, the Thunder trading away copious draft picks and young assets for a player who’ll undoubtedly have the same reservations about playing and staying in OKC is moot.

That doesn’t mean the OKC Thunder VP won’t keep an eye on specific young assets especially if they complement the core and timeline.

OKC Thunder should be invested in Ayton, Bridges extension issues with Suns

To that end, two young Phoenix Suns have yet to sign their rookie extensions and are currently at an impasse as per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Deandre Ayton (top draft pick) and Mikal Bridges (10th pick) were each drafted ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11th) in 2018. What makes their situation unique is Ayton and Bridges were vital contributors in the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals.

During the season, Ayton registered a double-double average of 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds shooting 63 percent from the field. He averaged 30.7 minutes per game and appeared in 69 of 72 games.

In the playoffs, Ayton improved his double-double average to 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds plus 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks. On top of this, the Suns’ big man faced some impressive big men in the postseason including Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo more than holding his own.

Like SGA, Ayton will always be linked to Luka Doncic and Trae Young as members of that 2018 draft class. Although Doncic will be the player most likely to win an MVP and garner the most hardware Ayton has the distinction of being the first pick.

Doncic, Young, Michael Porter Jr., and OKC Thunder cornerstone SGA all signed max rookie extensions this offseason.  The latter trio inked five-year $172M contracts while Doncic’s deal was for $207M (a level the prior trio could also reach if they’re named to an All-NBA team). Ayton is requesting the same max deal and the Suns only have until October 18th to resolve.

As for Bridges, the small forward has improved in every key category in each of his three years as a pro, Like Ayton, his extension has not been resolved. While Bridges is further down the list of priorities it’s not by much given his stellar 3 and D ability.

This past campaign he averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks playing in all 72 matches. His playoff production slipped slightly but he experienced moments of brilliance like his 27 points, seven rebounds outburst in Game 2 of the finals.

This situation isn’t the typical contract dispute, not when you consider the personalities involved. Robert Sarver owns the Phoenix Suns and other than the Knicks’ James Dolan is arguably the second-most polarizing figure in NBA ownership. Case in point, Sarver’s idea of inspiring then GM Ryan McDonough with live goats. ESPN writer Kevin Arnovitz provided the best insight into the mind of Sarver via his March 4, 2019, article:

"“Four years after naming McDonough general manager, [owner Robert] Sarver acquired some live goats from a Diana Taurasi event at Talking Stick Resort Arena and planted them upstairs in McDonough’s office. The stunt was both a practical joke and an inspirational message — the Suns should find a GOAT of their own, one who dominates like Taurasi. The goats, unaware of their metaphorical connotation, proceeded to defecate all over McDonough’s office.”"

Although he was fired eight days prior to the 2018-29 season starting, McDonough’s fingerprints remain as it was his regime who drafted Devin Booker, Ayton and made the draft-night trade for Bridges.

James Jones took over and made an impact via the draft (Cameron Johnson), trades (Chris Paul), and signings (Jae Crowder). Jones’ best move was the hiring of head coach Monty Williams who established the culture and work ethic for the franchise.

In three years the Suns have completely shifted their fortunes and future. However, if Sarver persists with this current reluctance to reward two of his core talents the repercussions could be explosive.

If the October 18th deadline passes without an extension signed, Ayton (and Bridges) would enter this offseason as a restricted free agent. Any opponent offer they agreed to could be matched by Phoenix. However, this disrespect by Sarvier could push the Nassau native to play out this season and simply sign a one-year qualifying offer this summer. If Ayton does that then he’d be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023 meaning he could walk for nothing.

While the Suns may view Devin Booker as their future, Chris Paul demonstrated precisely how impactful one player can be to a roster.  Frankly, at 36 as great as The Point God is – age will limit how many years he has left to compete and outside this enticing backcourt (and Jae Crowder) the next most important pieces of the Suns’ future are Ayton and Bridges.

These two youngsters would perfectly fit the OKC Thunder timeline — SGA is 11 days older than Ayton while Bridges is just under two years older.

It seems highly unlikely Ayton or Bridges wouldn’t pursue other deals in the 2022 offseason. But if they felt truly slighted they may respond in kind by ignoring offers to sign the one-year deal so they would be free to sign wherever they wanted in 2023.

In the event that occurred, the Thunder would be two years into their rebuild and have used up potentially 11 (8 first-round and 3 second-round) draft picks. Presti would have the salary cap available to make an impressive offer to Ayton (and/or Bridges) and also still have enough draft capital to package some in deals targeting another asset of the superstar variety.

This could all be a moot point if Sarver ends his grandstanding to reward Ayton and Bridges with contracts that reflect their continued growth and Finals appearance.

Ultimately, as Presti keeps his gaze transfixed on building a championship roster numerous opportunities will arise. Yet, the two Sun youngsters represent the first real examples of youthful assets the OKC Thunder should be very invested in pursuing.