Report: Suns exercise 3rd-year options on Ayton, Bridges

The Phoenix Suns reportedly picked up the third-year options on center DeAndre Ayton and forward Mikal Bridges, league sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Ayton, the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, had a standout rookie season, averaging 16.3 points and leading all first-year players with 10.3 rebounds per game and 39 double-doubles.

He joins Karl-Anthony Towns and Blake Griffin as the only players this decade to average at least 10 points and 10 boards in their rookie campaign. Ayton was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.

Bridges also showed some promise during his first NBA season, averaging 8.3 points and 3.2 boards across 82 appearances - including 56 starts. His 129 steals were good for eighth among all players.