The Phoenix Suns reached out to the Dallas Mavericks about a potential sign-and-trade deal for Kyrie Irving earlier in the offseason, according to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY.
Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30. The Suns and Mavericks didn’t make a deal and Phoenix wound up acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards instead.
“The Suns were among the teams to reach out to Dallas about a potential sign-and-trade for Irving earlier in the offseason, per sources familiar with the matter,” Begley wrote. “Dallas, presumably, wasn’t interested in what the Suns offered at the time. If the Mavs were blown away by the offer, logic says that Beal wouldn’t be a Sun today.”
Irving played with Suns superstar Kevin Durant on the Brooklyn Nets. The seven-time All-Star requested a trade from the Nets this past season and was traded to the Mavericks. Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas.
If the NBA operates with a $134 million salary cap, Irving would be eligible to re-sign with the Mavericks on a five-year, $272 million contract. Both Dallas star Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Uncle Drew to stay, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns have a lethal Big 3 of Beal, Durant and Devin Booker now after acquiring Beal from the Wizards. Beal waived his no-trade clause to play for the Suns, who sent the Wizards Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and draft picks.
It’s going to be very fascinating to see how many games Phoenix wins next season under first-year head coach Frank Vogel and what type of contract Irving signs this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
Dallas may be the only team interested in signing Irving, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Lakers will not pursue the Duke product and the Houston Rockets like Fred VanVleet more than Irving if James Harden stays with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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