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The Suns had the best record in the NBA last season, but the tides have changed for the worse in the months since then.
After everything that went down with Suns owner Robert Sarver this offseason, ESPN’s Marc Spears described this afternoon as the “saddest media day” he has ever attended. He said it felt more like a funeral.
Perhaps the vibes were just bad, but it seemed especially bad for Deandre Ayton. The big man told Spears that it “felt like there was a cloud” hanging over the franchise.
It was incredibly confusing how the Suns handled Ayton’s restricted free agency, and it appears that the drama may not be fully behind them. Ayton signed an offer sheet with the Pacers, and although Phoenix matched, it seems mostly like that was done to retain the asset rather than because they believed in him as their big man of the future.
Deandre Ayton seems thrilled to be back in Phoenix pic.twitter.com/Mn4Lkh6pP5
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 26, 2022
When asked about his new contract, the former No. 1 overall pick said he was “happy” and we can take him at his word. But the “I guess” that he added a few seconds later seemed to carry more weight.
Ayton cannot be traded until Jan. 15, and he has the right to veto any trade during the first year of his new contract. While nothing is imminent on that front, I would be surprised if he is their big man of the future.
There will be other significant personnel changes on the roster, though. Phoenix is expected to trade Jae Crowder sooner rather than later, and the disgruntled veteran forward did not report to training camp.
Even though Sarver said he intends to sell the team, the situation in Phoenix does not look pretty right now. Head coach Monty Williams has a tough road in front of him, but if there is anyone who can handle adversity, it’s him.
Hopefully, Sarver’s sale of the Suns happens soon, and a new ownership group can help remove the cloud seemingly hanging above the organization.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
The NBA will reportedly install blue lights in arenas to signal a scoring change. Our own Cole Huff explains what this means:
“While those in-person spectators have an up-close look at the game, those watching the television broadcasts have the advantage of audio and visual breakdowns that in-game attendees don’t.
Ever wonder which basic replays the people at games are seeing as you sit home with five or six different slow-mo views of the same play? What about when there’s a scoring change that the broadcast team announced but the public address announcer didn’t?
The NBA is getting ready to make life a little bit easier for those fans attending games—and bettors everywhere.”
This is designed to eliminate controversies like the one that happened when Miami wing Max Strus hit a 3-pointer during the Eastern Conference finals against Boston, but it was later called off.
Shootaround
— Zion Williamson looked to be in great shape at Pelicans media day
— Kyrie Irving says he gave up ‘100-something million’ dollars to be unvaccinated
— HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan breaks down potential trade destinations for Jae Crowder
— Celtics Wire’s Justin Quinn explains why he thinks NBA coverage needs an overhaul