Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal 

The Suns do this deal to make an all-in push for the title. 

It’s a risk. Acquiring Irving always is. At the same time, this would be a sign-and-trade. They’d be landing Irving on a committed, long-term max deal. 

They’d also be reuniting him with Kevin Durant. That’s fine too. There doesn’t seem to be any bad blood between the two. All told, they’d probably be happy to share the floor with Devin Booker and Chris Paul rather than Ben Simmons and…people. 

With that said, some may have expected something resembling Chris Paul and a first-round pick for Irving here. Nope.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Phoenix Suns & Dallas Mavericks Updates 

The Mavericks would not accept that. Following this deal, the Suns would likely utilize Paul as an elite sixth man, and find a budget replacement for Ayton. 

Can the Mavericks really replace Irving?