As the seasons go by, the 2018 draft looks more and more like one of those that are remembered for years. Names like those of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Colin Sexton, Mikal Bridges, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Porter Jr., Donte DiVincezo or Kevin Huerter they have already been, each at their level, leading players in the league with only three seasons behind them. Some of them have already signed their rookie contract extensions, others are still waiting. Journalists Bobby Marks and Marc Stein recalled on Twitter the list of those who have already renewed and those who still have to do so:
But with the deadline to do it set for this midnight (Spanish time) it is striking that Deandre Ayton, number 1 of that issue, is still negotiating. And more after that in the last hours Phoenix Suns has reached an agreement with Mikal Bridges, who was chosen in the 10th position of that draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and immediately transferred to Arizona.
The exterior dream of any team
The truth is Bridges has become an essential player for Phoenix, one of the great architects of reaching the last Finals. It was the team that played the most minutes during the regular season, averaged a magnificent 42.5% on triples (his three-year average is 38%) and was the tasked with pairing up with the best outside scorers rivals night yes, night too. It is done considered one of the best 3 + D (3-point player and defender) of the league and is, and in this there is no debate, a key piece in the future of the Suns. For all these reasons he has won the 90 million extension and four seasons. But hasn’t Ayton done it too?
The Bahamas center finished the playoffs playing the best basketball of his short career, but if we take the entire season as a whole it is not so clear who is a more important player for the Arizona franchise right now. Ayton has a profile more like that of a potential star (at least until now). A big pivot, with good mobility, capable of being decisive in both rings. But its performance, while remarkable, has always been a little below expectations. Maybe it’s just the typical problem of being No. 1 in the draft and, at the same time, not being the best player in your fifth. In any case, it is not only or mainly a matter of game, numbers or sensations. It’s mostly about money.
Ayton and the luxury tax
The Suns are already a contender for the ring like the most, but maintaining a team of that level costs money. Usually more than can be spent. With a mostly young group, until now they hadn’t had to deal with that problem, but after several renovations (the most important that of Devin Booker) they see how shortly they will enter the luxury tax. The horizon is in the 2022-23 season, when the new contracts of Bridges, Ayton and even Shamet would come into force (the latter two if they end up signing them). The projection in salary spending for that season is right now at 119 million, with the luxury tax located at 144.6 million. Ayton’s hypothetical renewal would give the pivot $ 29.75 million that year, the first of the new contract, and Phoenix would spend on salaries 157 million. 12.4 above the luxury tax.
As they say, you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. That a team that aspires to win the ring has to pay a luxury tax is anything but strange. But, in the end, it is a decision that must be made in the offices of each franchisee. Decide how you want to achieve that goal and if it is really worth reaching those spending figures with certain players. That is what they are valuing on the noble floor of the Suns, but time is running out.