Deandre Ayton’s Salary Could be the Biggest Hurdle in Phoenix Suns Attempt to Land Kevin Durant

Posted on by Jack Marks

All press sources suggest that this will ultimately happen, should the Brooklyn Nets agree to the expensive price of their star player. When Kevin Durant wanted the Brooklyn Nets to move him to a club with a current contract, his present team is under no duty to heed his wishes. The Kevin Durant trade issue is being patiently handled by the Brooklyn Nets.

Even after he requested a trade, the Nets are taking their time to make sure they do this right. Even a rumor has it that Brooklyn may stretch this out until training camp. Although other clubs are engaged and have the ability to make substantial offers, it appears like Durant would want to join the Phoenix Suns.

Kevin Durant Deandre Ayton
Credits: USA Today

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Phoenix Suns frontrunners to land Kevin Durant but face Deandre Ayton roadblock

Many believed Deandre Ayton would be traded from the Suns to the Nets in exchange for Durant, but it now appears that may not be the case. Ayton sign-and-trades are subject to complex salary cap regulations, but it’s possible that Brooklyn just isn’t willing to pay the asking price for the big man’s services.

From a talent standpoint, Ayton is the kind of player who would be acceptable to send back to Brooklyn, but as long as Irving is on the roster, it is not possible since the collective bargaining agreement prevents it. Ayton would have to be signed and traded for since he is a restricted free agent, and per the CBA, the team that trades for Ayton (in this example, Brooklyn) would be restricted to a maximum salary of $150.2 million.

It’s not necessary for the deal to contain both Durant and Ayton. His cap number for the Suns is different from his incoming number for another team due to the latter’s base-year compensation. Sending Ayton to a team with a lot of salary space or a sizable trade exception is the sensible course of action.

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