Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns have broken off talks without a contract extension.

Ayton expected to receive a max contract, which was never offered by the Suns. The Suns raised the concept of a shorter max contract of three or four seasons instead of the full five, but never formally made the offer. Ayton held firm on seeking a five-year, $172.5 million deal plus possible escalators. 

Ayton was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft and helped lead the Suns to The Finals, but he is one of the only top picks of his draft class not to receive an extension.

Ayton is now unhappy with the Suns' stance to his representatives that they didn't see him as a max player.