3 reasons why Phoenix Suns must pay Deandre Ayton and retain him ahead of the 2021-22 NBA Season

#2 Deandre Ayton is young and constantly improving

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns in 2021

Deandre Ayton turned 23 just two days after the NBA Finals. He is a young player with tremendous upside. The Phoenix Suns would be giving up on an asset who is constantly improving and has been with the team for the past three years. Devin Booker and Chris Paul ran a lot of plays through Deandre Ayton and he is an excellent third option. He cannot get his own shot very effectively but Paul and Booker's playmaking brings out the best in him.

Deandre Ayton averaged 16 points per game, a career average, and has never averaged fewer than double-digit rebounds per game in a season. He shot an effective FG% of 63% in the 2021-22 NBA season while shooting an improved 77% from the free throw line.

There aren't a lot of 23-year-old centers with Finals experience out there for the Suns to choose from, which brings us to the final point.

#3 The center market is slim

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns guards LA Lakers' Anthony Davis in the preseason game

Deandre Ayton is a just one of the few centers in the league who are All-Star worthy and are available. Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and many others are not available. The center market is very slim and the league has seen a sharp growth in guards and wings.

If the Phoenix Suns don't sign Deandre Ayton to an extension before the October 18th deadline, the Bahamian big man can find a new team rather easily. He fits the Suns needs and is a big part of their offense. JaVale McGee cannot handle the center responsibilities alone. Many stars in Deandre Ayton's draft class have received the max extension, so the Phoenix Suns should consider offering it to him as well.