After being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns are once again forced to regroup after a disappointing playoff loss. These Suns had the best record in the NBA last season but failed to make the Western Conference Finals. This season, they went all in and acquired Kevin Durant from the Nets in hopes of making a run to the NBA Finals, only for those hopes to be dashed by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
After giving up so much to acquire Durant, getting better this offseason may be difficult, but not impossible. In fact, they may have an ace up their sleeve that could result in them acquiring an all-star. Phoenix already has two of the most explosive offensive players in the NBA in Durant and Devin Booker. However, adding a third star could be enough to get them over the hump and result in them finally winning an NBA championship next season. Let’s take a look at a potential trade.
NBA Trades: The Phoenix Suns land Kyrie Irving in a major offseason trade.
Suns Get
Kyrie Irving
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Mavericks Get
Chris Paul
Deandre Ayton
Suns center Deandre Ayton struggled in the team’s playoff series against the Nuggets, and rumors state that he could be traded this summer. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are reported to be interested in Ayton, making them a potential trade partner. However, their first order of business will be to re-sign All-Star Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks acquired Irving in a blockbuster trade from the Nets but failed to work out an extension with him, leaving the door open for him to bolt and go into free agency.
While there don’t appear to be many potential landing spots for Irving, the Suns could be an option, though it would require the Mavericks’ help to make it happen. If Irving agreed to join Phoenix, the Suns and Mavericks could work out a blockbuster sign-and-trade in which Chris Paul and Ayton are shipped to Dallas while Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. join the Suns.
For the Mavericks, although re-signing Irving is probably their top goal, if he agrees to join Phoenix, playing ball on a sign-and-trade would at least get them a player that they are rumored to be interested in. It would also land them Paul, who, while nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, could help Dallas next season.
After that, things would be very much up in the air for Dallas unless Ayton thrives with the Mavericks. Despite that, the Mavericks can’t afford to let Irving leave for nothing. In fact, they would almost certainly take back Paul and Ayton, even if it’s a lateral move at best for a team that underachieved this season and missed the playoffs.
Irving would be a wildcard acquisition for the Phoenix Suns.
As for Phoenix, adding Irving in a sign-and-trade for the cost of Paul, who they were reportedly shopping at the trade deadline, and Ayton, a player who, although talented, has underachieved, would be a steal. Despite being a headcase, he is also incredibly talented. He could give Phoenix an impossible-to-stop offensive trio when paired with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who was his teammate in Brooklyn.
Adding Irving could make the Suns the team to beat in the West, though it may also backfire. He’s caused headaches for the three teams he was on and hasn’t been in Dallas long enough to do the same. Still, it’s clear that the new Suns’ own Matt Ishbia wants to win now, and if Irving wants to come to Phoenix, Ishbia could potentially make that happen.
All in all, this hypothetical blockbuster trade involving Irving, Hardaway Jr., and Paul Ayton hinges primarily on Irving. If Irving wants to play in Phoenix, then the Mavericks may be open to a sign-and-trade, and the Suns wouldn’t have to give up much to add another star to their roster.
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Author: Cal Durrett
May 18, 2023 | 12:00 pm
