Monty Williams: Suns Will Decide If Deandre Ayton Part Of Long-Term Plans This Summer

Coach Monty Williams told reporters that the Suns will determine whether Deandre Ayton is part of the team’s long-term plans “in the summer,” according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

Ayton will be a restricted free agent in July. He reportedly was not happy with his contract situation entering the season, and he and Williams had a confrontation on the sideline during the Suns’ Game 7 loss to the Mavericks.

All of that has led to speculation that the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft could be on the move this summer, though that is mostly the result of the Suns’ loss.

Monty Williams stuck to the 'internal' stance on what happened with him and Deandre Ayton in Game 7, but said he hasn't talked to Ayton 1-on-1 since the game.

Said he's talked the team, but he also said he made a decision not to put Ayton back in as game got out of hand. #Suns

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 16, 2022

Ayton only played 17 minutes in the season finale and was noticeably upset when replaced by Bismack Biyombo early in the third quarter, leading to the incident with Williams in front of the bench.

Williams called it an “internal” matter after the game, and reiterated that stance on Monday, Rankin noted.