Restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a record-setting offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents, Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports, and Bill Duffy of BDA Sports and WME Sports confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday afternoon.
"RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN," Wojnarowski tweeted.
The Phoenix Suns, who failed to reach a long-term extension with Ayton in October, will have 48 hours to match the offer as part of Ayton's restricted free agency.
Wojnarowski specified that Ayton hasn't signed the offer sheet as of Thursday afternoon and a sign-and-trade between Phoenix and Indiana is still possible.
On Monday (July 11), ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that the Pacers were "very close" to acquiring Ayton either in a trade or through restricted free agency.
"We believe that the Indiana Pacers are very close to giving Deandre Ayton an offer sheet or executing a sign-and-trade," Windhorst said while appearing on ESPN's 'Get Up.'
Windhorst said the Pacers' recent moves -- which included trading Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics -- "has opened enough cap space to almost give Deandre Ayton the max contract he is looking for" as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns.
"We could see something with the Pacers and Ayton as early as today," Windhorst added. "The whole league is waiting to see."
The Pacers have remained one of the most consistent teams pursuing Ayton, one of the league's best young centers, after he failed to come to terms on an extension with the Suns last October and is currently a restricted free agent.
Ayton's agent, Bill Duffy, was present during the Pacers' Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets last Friday.
"The Indiana Pacers have probably shown of the teams outside of Phoenix, the Indiana Pacers have shown a lot of interest in Deandre Ayton this offseason," Windhorst said.
The Suns, as Ayton's last team prior to free agency, can offer more than any team (four years, $136 million, five years, $171 million.)
Phoenix would also have two days to match another NBA team's offer sheet of up to the max of four years, $131 million as part of Ayton's restricted free agency.
The former University of Arizona standout was selected No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and has averaged a double-double during his first four NBA seasons, which included averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game during the 2021-22 season.
Colin Cowherd Says Warriors Shouldn't Reunite With 'Desperate' Kevin Durant
Clay Travis Blasts LeBron James For His 'Dumb' Brittney Griner Comments
LaVar Arrington Rips 'Dumb' Browns For Leaking Damning Baker Mayfield Story
Why Pau Gasol Getting His Number Retired By the Lakers is Embarrassing
Zach Wilson's Ex-Girlfriend Accused Him of Sleeping With His Mom's Friend
Rob Parker: Russell Westbrook's Lakers Stint Has Greatly Damaged His Legacy
Colin Cowherd Says This Team is Going to Be the 'Shock of the NFL' in 2022
Rob Parker Calls Kevin Durant's Trade Request Out of Brooklyn 'Cowardly'
LaVar Arrington: Warren Sapp Didn't Lie About 'Disaster' Kaepernick Workout
Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Sha'Carri Richardson After She Rips the Media