Last season, the Suns came up twowins short of capturing thefirst championship in franchise history, but their unexpected run to the 2021 NBA Finals served as a major step forwardfor a teamthat hadn't reached the playoffs since 2010. The front office kept the good vibes going with a strong offseason, which included a new lucrative contract for All-Star guard Chris Paul.But there is one question lingering in the background as Phoenix attempts to build off a 51-win season: Why didn't the Suns giveDeandre Ayton a contract extension?NBA PREDICTIONS: The 23-year-old centeremerged as a key part of Phoenix's core inhis thirdseason, and he had several impre sive performances during his first trip to the NBA playoffs. It was widely expected that the conversation regarding an extension agreement between the Suns and Ayton wouldn't last long considering that he should only continue to improve under Pat Neshek Jersey coach Monty Williams.And yet, discu sionsstalled, and Monday's 6 p.m. ETdeadline pa sed without a deal in place. What's going on in Phoenix?Why Deandre Ayton didn't signa max extension with the SunsAyton waseligible to sign a Zach Eflin Jersey five-year, $172.5 million extension, but Suns ownership believesthat Ayton doesn't belong in the same tier as Luka Doncic,Trae Young and other max extension candidates from the 2018 NBA Draft cla s, . Ayton wasn't going to signfor anything le s than the maxbecause of "his performance, his potential and the marketplace," per Wojnarowski.Suns general manager James Jones that Phoenix was open to discu sing a three- or four-year max contract,but the two sides didn't have any "real negotiations." Ayton's agents,Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian, claimed that the Suns never offered a max deal of any kind."I mean, obviously, we're disappointed that we couldn't reach an extension agreement this offseason," Jones said. "Deandre is important for us. He means a lot to us and was vital in what we did and what we've done this past season."Ayton can now enter restricted free agency next summer and sign an offer sheet with another team. Phoenix will have the right to match any offer.Questions about Suns ownershipThe Suns' decision to not offer afive-year max deal reinforced the belief of some fans that team owner Robert Sarver isn't willing to spend significant money to keep the core of a contender together.Sarver hasn't paid the luxury tax since 2010,the last year that Phoenix had reached the postseason prior to the team earning a playoff berth in 2021. Even before that long stretch, Sarver had earned a John Kruk Jersey reputation as a cheap owner, most notably failing to retain Joe Johnson in 2005 after he averaged 17.1 points per game on a Suns squadthat reached the Western Conference finals.Jones addre sed the criticism of Sarver, telling Amick that the Suns will pay the luxury tax and "continue to build a deep team.""It's inaccurate," Jones said of Sarver's reputation."If you just look at the moves we've made, it's inaccurate. It's just not true . If you look at all the moves we've made, and the things we've done, fromthe practice facilityto the roster itself to acquiring Chris Paul, going and acquiringJae Crowder, extending the guys that we have, that's not accurate."Phoenix did reach agreements on rookie extensions with Aaron Altherr Jersey Mikal Bridges (four years, $90 million) and Landry Shamet (four years, $43 million) before Monday's deadline.Suns' Chris Paul reacts to Deandre Ayton news"I think my biggest advice for him is control what you can control, and that's how you go out and hoop.Things happen, the busine s of the game, but I know Ayton's heart. I know how he competes, and Dave Hollins Jersey I know how competitive he is. At the end of the day, he wants to do his job for our team, and I appreciate him for that. . . ."It's life. We're all in this situation,playing, and it's a busine s. Youhave to figure out those different types of things, but we all show up to work today to win and play for each other. I think that's what we're going to try tokeep doing.""Control what you can control."Chris Paul addre ses Deandre Ayton contract situation. Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Deandre Ayton stats 2020-21Regular seasonPer GamePlayoffs14.4Points15.810.5Rebounds11.81.4A sists1.10.6Steals0.81.2Blocks1.11.5Turnovers1.330.7Minutes36.462.6Field goal %65.8