Phoenix Still a Likely Suitor for Kyrie Irving, per NBA Insider

Irving Phoenix

The Brooklyn band might be getting back together as those Kyrie Irving to Phoenix rumors just won’t quit.

Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer and his current team, Dallas, have his Bird rights, so they could offer him a hefty amount to stay but we’re talking about the most unpredictable man in the league here.

“The Lakers and the Suns are the most frequently mentioned likely Kyrie suitors in league circles, but getting a confirmed read this far out on whether either team intends to actually pursue him is no layup,” Marc Stein wrote in his Substack.

“The Lakers decided against trying to outbid the Mavericks in trade talks for Irving leading up to the deadline and have since publicly described the lead guard they did acquire last month — D’Angelo Russell — as a player they hope to re-sign.

“The Suns, meanwhile, have had Durant in the lineup for all of three games since No. 35’s arrival. Phoenix is thus still assessing exactly what it is capable of as currently constructed, while there are also fresh questions about the eagerness of Durant and Irving to reunite in the desert given the great lengths they appeared to go to in avoiding each other when the Suns visited the Mavericks on March 5 for a nationally televised showdown at the American Airlines Center.”

With the way the Lakers are playing at the moment, they may just want to keep things simple and retain some of their current players like Russell on far less money than Irving, although it is LeBron James’ wet dream to have Irving in purple and gold with him.

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One Lakers Insider, Jovan Buha, thinks the Lakers definitely won’t try and pursue Irving in the off-season, which paves the way for the Suns – who happen to have a new owner Mat Ishbia and it seems money is no object for him.

With the uncertainty surrounding Durant and whispers of Chris Paul being moved on, what better time to bolster your roster with another 12-year NBA veteran in Irving.

The Suns and Lakers are both in the same conference, so it’s safe to say Phoenix wouldn’t want to see a big three of James, Irving and Anthony Davis take shape.

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