An NBA insider has linked All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and former MVP James Harden to the Phoenix Suns.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN said to keep an eye on the Suns when it comes to Irving and Harden.
Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Harden is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers to become a free agent as well. Suns superstar small forward Kevin Durant played with Irving and Harden on the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, James Harden, Kyrie Irving & Phoenix Suns Updates
Phoenix could need a new point guard since Chris Paul may not be back with the team next season. The Athletic and ESPN reported that CP3 could be waived by the NBA’s June 28 guarantee date on his contract. The future Hall of Famer has a partially guaranteed contract for next season.
“Only $15.8 million of his $30.8 million for the 2023-24 season is guaranteed if he’s waived — unless the Suns keep Paul past that June 28 deadline date,” Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported. “The expectation is that the Suns would stretch and waive the guaranteed portion of Paul’s salary next season ($3.16M per season over the next five seasons) to create more salary cap space and open up the team’s ability to use the $12.2 million taxpayer midlevel exception. Paul’s $30.8 million for 2024-25 is nonguaranteed.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, James Harden, Kyrie Irving & Phoenix Suns Updates
Irving has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, while Harden has been linked to the Sixers and Houston Rockets. Both stars are looking for max money in free agency. Most people around the league expect Irving to re-sign with the Mavericks and Harden to sign with the Rockets.
However, if the Suns come in with a huge offer, Irving or Harden could head to Phoenix to reunite with Durant and play with Devin Booker.
Phoenix fired Monty Williams as head coach after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games and hired Frank Vogel.
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