The Phoenix Suns are still interested in acquiring Kyrie Irving this summer, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Suns tried to trade for Irving during the regular season when the point guard requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Phoenix is looking to reunite him with Kevin Durant.
“If there’s one dreamy framework that could become a reality, let’s not forget Phoenix’s strong overtures to acquire Kyrie Irving — another key point guard of this offseason — before Brooklyn dealt the dazzling ball-handler to Dallas,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns backed off their pursuit of Irving and refocused on landing a bigger prize in Durant, but Phoenix officials haven’t just abandoned the interest they held in Irving four months ago. That would require some cooperation from the Mavericks, who have so far signaled little willingness to entertain a possible sign-and-trade for Irving with the Lakers, sources said.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
“Dallas, of course, hopes to retain Irving after mortgaging two key rotation pieces plus a 2029 first-round pick to acquire him. But if Irving were to call his shot out of town, perhaps the Mavericks would be more willing to work with a return that netted Paul as opposed to Los Angeles point guard D’Angelo Russell.”
Irving can sign a five-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks this summer. He can only get a four-year deal with another team. The Suns could waive, stretch or trade Chris Paul this offseason, so it looks like they are in the market for a new floor general.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
One of the best players in the NBA, Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Nets and Mavericks this season while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.9% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line. He would be a huge upgrade over Paul, who averaged a career-low 13.9 points in 2022-23.
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