The start of the training camp might get a bit awkward for the Phoenix Suns. Their star center Deandre Ayton recently told the reporters that he and head coach Monty Williams hadn’t talked since the end of the 2021-22 NBA season.
The Suns ended their season after being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in seven games in Conference Semifinals. Game 7 was marked with a verbal altercation between Ayton and Williams, resulting in Ayton playing just 17 minutes.
When asked on Tuesday whether the two cleared the air about the situation, Ayton gave an unexpected answer.
“I haven’t spoken to Monty,” Ayton said. “I haven’t spoken to him at all. Ever since the game.”
It also doesn’t seem like Ayton is interested in having that talk anytime soon.
“I can show him better than I could tell him,” he added.
It is unclear what was at the core of the confrontation between Ayton and Williams. However, reports indicate that Williams and Ayton had their issues even before that, with the Suns’ head coach believing the player was missing focus.
Deandre Ayton also has a rocky relationship with the Suns’ organization overall after the franchise opted against offering him a max-rookie extension. Ayton then hit the restricted free agent market, where he attracted a four-year, $133 million offer from the Indiana Pacers. Phoenix ended up matching the offer after it became clear they would have a hard time upgrading the roster in some other way.
