Fresh off a surprising NBA Finals appearance, the Phoenix Suns are in the final stages of gearing up for another run. Unfortunately, it appears they'll have a big distraction with Deandre Ayton on their hands as they try to repeat as Western Conference Champions.

Ayton and the Suns reportedly could not agree on a contract extension ahead of the 3PM PST deadline. Most of the top players in Ayton's class, including Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., and even Suns teammate Mikal Bridges all signed their respective extensions. The Suns' star center, however, will enter the 2021-22 NBA season without a deal done.

Reports from ESPN's Adrain Wojnarowski suggested Ayton was not happy, and understandably so.

Following Suns practice, Mikal Bridges spoke with members of the media about his deal.

“It’s great,” Bridges said. “I’m happy we came down to it. I think I’ve been preaching for a long time the I’ve always wanted to be here. Just for that to happen, I take nothing for granted. Just blessed, grateful for the position I’m in, the people I have around me, my family and friends, so it’s great. I’m happy we got it done.”

It wasn't easy to remain patient, but Bridges said the right people around him helped him get through the offseason with the Suns.

“Like I've been saying the other day man, everybody in here, everybody at home, I have a great people around me. I have great people in here and it just made it easier for me. If it wasn’t for them, it would’ve made it even more difficult and I’m just happy to have them in my life.”

Bridges says everyone wants Deandre Ayton, who was part of his 2018 Draft class, to stay in Phoenix given their growth over the last few years. The people around the Suns center will be important to getting through this rough patch.

“We came here together, we obviously want to be here together so, we both wanted to be here,” Mikal Bridges added. “Obviously, I can’t do nothing, but we want him here and I know he wants to be here as well.

“He’s way more mature with everything and he has great people around him as well. Like I said, I try to do the best I can to kind of clear his mind and not think about it, but we’re humans. It’s tough, but we try to help. He's one of my best friends man. It’s bigger than basketball and I just want to play with him. It’s easy, especially with him, but just being around him every single day, I just don't want to lose that.”

According to Kellan Olson of AZ Sports, Ayton declined to speak with members of the media in the hours leading up to his extension deadline.

Deandre Ayton will now enter restricted free agency next summer, where the Suns will have a chance to match any offer sheet the big man signs. He also could elect to sign the qualifying offer, play a fifth season with Phoenix, and enter unrestricted free agency. Although the latter is the least likely outcome, it can't be completely ruled out if Ayton is as unhappy as reports have said he is.

Ayton averaged 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in the 2019-20 season which he appeared in following his 25-game suspension for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic. With the arrival of Chris Paul for the 2020-21 season, Ayton's counting stats dropped. His efficiency shooting from the floor, however, increased eight percent up to 62.6 percent.

The big man averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game with Phoenix in his third season and will look to continue the improvement in this upcoming season.