Deandre Ayton May 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) sits on the bench with 3 fouls during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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It’s been a dramatic offseason for Phoenix Suns star center Deandre Ayton after he agreed to a massive four-year, $133 million maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers before that deal was matched by the Suns to keep him in Phoenix.

It seems like that drama carried into the team’s preseason media day when Ayton gave a bizarre interview revealing that he hasn’t spoken to head coach Luke Monty since he was benched during the team’s Game 7 loss to the Dallas Mavericks back in May.

“I haven’t spoken to him at all, ever since the game,” Ayton told reporters on Wednesday, according to ESPN. “I can show him better than I can tell him. It’s life. Nobody cares about the uncomfortable nature of it, it’s how you perform and what you bring to the table. What’s said is already said.”

Ayton had an even more shocking and bizarre response when he was asked if he was happy in Phoenix with the team.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” Ayton told reporters. “When I’m in between those lines, man, I just work. I know I’m not playing for myself. I have an organization across my chest and a name on my back I have to represent, I’m just here to work.”

The interview was quite bizarre and awkward, and the NBA world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.

Time will tell how this works out for both Ayton and the Suns this season.

[Gerald Bourguet]

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