The Phoenix Suns were nicely represented at JaVale McGee's JUGLIFE charity softball game Wednesday night at Chase Field.
Devin Booker and Chris Paul came out.
So did Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne.
Mikal Bridges, Torrey Craig and even Iffe Lundberg, who just joined the crew in March, made an appearance.
"It became incredible, man," McGee stated after the charity softball game. "I experience like we have the nice camaraderie out of any group in the league, and you can simply tell with the aid of the turnout. Guys coming to show love. Some guys had been out of town and nevertheless got here. It's simply actual love and it is excellent to peer the men. That power."
They all talked about enjoying their time collectively.
"It was high-quality," Johnson stated. "I wish we ought to play a softball recreation each week. I could play, however it become a whole lot of amusing simply having the men all collectively. Different surroundings, however still competing. A lot of a laugh."
There's additionally regular chatter about their group looking to make adjustments after triumphing a franchise-file sixty four games in the ordinary season, but have been removed in the Western Conference semifinals by way of Dallas.
May 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams pulls center Deandre Ayton (22) from the game in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks during game seven of the second spherical for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center.
Restricted loose agent Deandre Ayton, who wasn't at the softball game, remains the freshest call heading into free employer.
There have been constant reviews the Suns are not looking to suit a max offer sheet from every other team and they may probable do a sign-and-exchange with their beginning middle.
"I assume they're very motivated to discover a signal-and-alternate, get some property for him," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday at some point of ESPN's NBA Today. "They do now not value Deandre Ayton at a max settlement. At his age at 23 years vintage, it suits in flawlessly I suppose with this younger institution (Pistons widespread supervisor) Troy Weaver is placing collectively in Detroit."
The Pistons are considered one of a handful of teams related to Ayton with the Pacers, Spurs, Raptors and Hawks being others.
However, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report pronounced the Suns are open to matching a max provide, which could be for four years, $131 million, from every other team.
Related: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson want Deandre Ayton to stay with Suns
Phoenix Suns middle Deandre Ayton (22) reacts after getting a technical foul with Suns ahead Jae Crowder (ninety nine) during an NBA basketball recreation towards the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Minneapolis.
The Suns can also pay Ayton extra than all and sundry with a 5-12 months max offer for $177 million. They declined to sign him to a five-12 months, $172-million rookie max extension or any extension in any respect before this past season.
Fischer additionally stated the Suns are testing the alternate fee waters of beginning ahead Jae Crowder, who's coming into the very last yr of his 3-yr, $30-million deal.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports said the Suns are certainly one of numerous groups who have an hobby in Nicolas Batum.
The veteran forward declined a $3.3-million player alternative, but is anticipated to re-sign with the Clippers.
The Lakers, Bulls, Celtics and Jazz are the other groups Haynes noted.
HoopsHype suggested that "rival NBA executives" consider Batum "should command a mean annual income of $10 million."
Apr 6, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) movements to the basket in opposition to Los Angeles Clippers ahead Nicolas Batum (33) in the course of the primary half at Crypto.com Arena.
Have opinion about modern country of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or touch him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally seemed on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns free employer speculation, change talks and Deandre Ayton
