The Phoenix Suns will not meet with NBA All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving in free agency, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
Irving and Suns star small forward Kevin Durant are close friends. They were teammates on the Brooklyn Nets and remain pals despite Irving requesting a trade from the Nets this past season and getting dealt to the Dallas Mavericks.
It would be difficult for the Suns to add Irving due to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. If Phoenix acquired the NBA champion via a sign-and-trade deal, the franchise would be hard-capped at the first salary-cap apron, which is currently projected to be $172 million.
The Suns aren’t expected to have access to the $12.4 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception or the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception after acquiring All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Mavericks are still considered the favorites to re-sign Irving, who is eligible for a five-year, $272 million max contract. The Duke product averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas this past season. However, the Mavericks didn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.
Dallas was just 5-11 in games Doncic and Irving played together. That was the worst winning percentage (.313) for a pair of teammates who were both All-Stars since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns Updates
Irving has career averages of 23.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Nets and Mavericks. He has made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. Both Dallas superstar point-forward Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Irving back next season, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
The Mavericks may be the only team interested in signing Irving. Dallas owner Mark Cuban has already publicly said that he wants Irving back next season.
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