DeAndre Ayton and Suns owner Robert Sarver have met this week amid an ugly contract feud — grabbing a drink together at a fancy spot in Arizona … TMZ Sports has learned. We’ve obtained photos of the two at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort on Monday … and witnesses tell us the guys appeared to be in talks over a new deal for Ayton.
Source: TMZ Staff @ TMZ.com
Source: TMZ Staff @ TMZ.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Let’s say it’s a tie score with three minutes left.
#Suns have Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton finishing game.
#Lakers have Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis finishing game.
Who wins and why? – 11:25 PM
Let’s say it’s a tie score with three minutes left.
#Suns have Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton finishing game.
#Lakers have Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis finishing game.
Who wins and why? – 11:25 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Second half starters:
Cameron Payne
Landry Shamet
Abdel Nader
Cam Johnson
JaVale McGee.
Safe to say the starters are done. Booker played 18 minutes, Bridges 17, Ayton 15 and Crowder 14.
Of course Paul didn’t play. #Blazers have cut into lead as #Suns are up 62-45 early in 3rd. – 6:21 PM
Second half starters:
Cameron Payne
Landry Shamet
Abdel Nader
Cam Johnson
JaVale McGee.
Safe to say the starters are done. Booker played 18 minutes, Bridges 17, Ayton 15 and Crowder 14.
Of course Paul didn’t play. #Blazers have cut into lead as #Suns are up 62-45 early in 3rd. – 6:21 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Payne is the only starter out there as we begin the second half. Usually the backup PG so he’s out there with the reserves. That’ll be it for Booker, Bridges, Crowder and Ayton. – 6:19 PM
Payne is the only starter out there as we begin the second half. Usually the backup PG so he’s out there with the reserves. That’ll be it for Booker, Bridges, Crowder and Ayton. – 6:19 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 59, POR 40
Booker: 17 Pts, 6-10 FG, 3-6 3P
Ayton: 8 Pts, 11 Reb, 4-7 FG
McGee: 10 Pts, 4 Reb
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 10 Reb – 6:04 PM
Halftime: PHX 59, POR 40
Booker: 17 Pts, 6-10 FG, 3-6 3P
Ayton: 8 Pts, 11 Reb, 4-7 FG
McGee: 10 Pts, 4 Reb
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 10 Reb – 6:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton with the jumper. That 15-footer has always been in his game. May see it more this year, especially off a dribble move.
Seen him working on it after practice. #Suns up 44-31 as Ayton has six and Booker with 14 on 5-of-9 FGAS after a 2-of-5 start. – 5:55 PM
Ayton with the jumper. That 15-footer has always been in his game. May see it more this year, especially off a dribble move.
Seen him working on it after practice. #Suns up 44-31 as Ayton has six and Booker with 14 on 5-of-9 FGAS after a 2-of-5 start. – 5:55 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 23, POR 11
Bridges: 6 Pts, 2-5 3P
Booker: 5 Pts, 2-5 FG
Ayton: 2 Pts, 7 Reb
Nurkic: 4 Pts, 9 Reb – 5:34 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 23, POR 11
Bridges: 6 Pts, 2-5 3P
Booker: 5 Pts, 2-5 FG
Ayton: 2 Pts, 7 Reb
Nurkic: 4 Pts, 9 Reb – 5:34 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Starters
Suns: Payne, Booker, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton
Blazers: Lillard, McCollum, Powell, Covington, Nurkic
Monty said everyone was available pregame as of the time we talked to him. Would guess that means Chris Paul is resting. – 4:29 PM
Starters
Suns: Payne, Booker, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton
Blazers: Lillard, McCollum, Powell, Covington, Nurkic
Monty said everyone was available pregame as of the time we talked to him. Would guess that means Chris Paul is resting. – 4:29 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Deandre Ayton “disappointed” not to have max extension done with Suns nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/13/dea… – 11:01 AM
Deandre Ayton “disappointed” not to have max extension done with Suns nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/13/dea… – 11:01 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I love Phoenix, but I’m really disappointed we haven’t really gotten a deal done yet. We were 2 wins away from winning a championship and I just really want to be respected to be honest like my peers are being respected by their teams” Deandre Ayton #Suns bit.ly/3iYDlU6 pic.twitter.com/jdLiWDZ34z – 10:15 AM
“I love Phoenix, but I’m really disappointed we haven’t really gotten a deal done yet. We were 2 wins away from winning a championship and I just really want to be respected to be honest like my peers are being respected by their teams” Deandre Ayton #Suns bit.ly/3iYDlU6 pic.twitter.com/jdLiWDZ34z – 10:15 AM
More on this storyline
One witness says Ayton was comparing his game and his athleticism to another player during the conversation with Sarver … adding that the talks seemed to be “all business.” -via TMZ.com / October 14, 2021
A witness tells us Ayton showed up at the resort before Sarver … and seemed perturbed, looking stoic and glancing at his phone often. -via TMZ.com / October 14, 2021
Kellan Olson: Suns owner Robert Sarver on @BurnsAndGambo passed on questions about negotiations with Deandre Ayton before saying he believes James Jones is still having conversations with Ayton’s agent and Sarver confirmed they want to get something done that works for both sides. -via Twitter @KellanOlson / October 13, 2021