Will the Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving join the Phoenix Suns?
Though his talent is unquestionable, doubts about his mentality persist. Could it be that the former Nets star is about to have a new adventure with the Suns?
When it comes to the Mavericks’ point guard, the word ‘surprise’ has become synonymous with his name. Indeed, the latest reports that link him with a possible move to the Phoenix Suns are simply par for the course at this point.
Is Kyrie Irving about to join the Phoenix Suns?
According to some reports on Thursday, Kyrie Irving is set to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Yet, there are others that claim the All-Star guard is about to meet with both the Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns in free agency. If you didn’t know, all NBA teams are officially allowed to negotiate with free agents as of 6 p.m. ET on Friday.
Kyrie Irving Is Planning To Meet With The Suns About Potentially Reuniting With Kevin Durant To Form A Mega Superteam https://t.co/rUeU6nMorH pic.twitter.com/kShes9xtcB
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 29, 2023
Now, let’s break this down. As intriguing as a move to the Suns sounds, the reality is the franchise doesn’t have the cap space to offer Irving anything but a minimum contract, which it has to be said is way below what someone of his stature will almost certainly be demanding. To be clear, the Suns are well past their tax limit and at this point are set to add even more to that already high figure. You can probably recall just how much they gave up this past February when they acquired Kevin Durant. Then there was their second blockbuster deal earlier this month, in which they acquired Wizards star, Bradley Beal. The point is, while the deal is not impossible unless the Suns are willing to let go of Durant, Beal, or Devin Booker, then it’s highly improbable. So, what gives?
Are the Suns for real?
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To be fair, most reports out there hold to the narrative that Irving will in fact re-sign with the Mavericks. On the other hand, there are questions as to how long and how much Dallas will offer the 31-year-old for his services. That’s to say that if Irving wants a full max that is guaranteed, it would be in his best interest to give the impression that he has options available. This is where the catch comes. On one side, the Mavericks know all too well that there are few players like Irving, such that it’s in their best interest to keep him.
Phoenix Suns GM James Jones was asked about Kyrie Irving rumors during Bradley Beal’s introductory press conference
— Khiz (@KhizHoop) June 29, 2023
😭😭 pic.twitter.com/tIZI0F7kUY
On the other, there are few players like Irving i.e., none of the teams with sufficient cap space are a good fit for a player who is both talented and enigmatic at best, and divisive and problematic at worst. With that said, some reports have cited the Houston Rockets as a team that “could seek a meeting as well,” however, there’s no concrete word on such a move. At any rate, the Suns are currently sitting just shy of the $165 million tax limit, meaning according to the basic rules of mathematics, Kyrie Irving can’t fit. Of course, it could be that Irving decides to sign a minimum contract purely because he wants to play elsewhere, but at this point that’s hard to imagine. Yet, this is Kyrie Irving we’re talking about which is to say, anything is possible.