The Phoenix Suns and center Deandre Ayton failed to reach a deal on a contract extension ahead of a Monday deadline, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Without a deal, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft will enter next offseason as a restricted free agent. The Suns could retain Ayton, but will be required to compete with qualifying offers from other teams.
Ayton sought a max extension in negotiations, and Suns owner Robert Sarver continued to decline to offer one ahead of Monday's deadline, per the report. The news puts a damper on the excitement around the start of Phoenix's season on the heels of last season's unexpected run to the NBA Finals.