Wow, this would be insane.
Superstar two-guard Kyrie Irving will reportedly be meeting with the Phoenix Suns, as well as his current team (the Dallas Mavericks) and potentially other franchises (like the Houston Rockets) when NBA Free Agency kicks off June 30, according to Bleacher Report.
All of Irving’s meetings are expected to happen in Los Angeles, according to the outlet.
The Suns — who already have a Big 3 with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — are being very aggressive in their attempt to add even more elite talent. New Phoenix governor Matt Ishbia and general manager James Jones are reportedly working around the clock to build a championship team.
Bleacher Report noted, however, that the Dallas Mavericks are still considered the favorites for Irving.
NBA star Kyrie Irving intends to meet with the Phoenix Suns when the free agency period begins on June 30, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. https://t.co/9KOjnqMu0N
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 29, 2023
Kyrie Irving is another one of those superstars that I’ve seen my Miami Heat “interested” in, but don’t worry, I’m not going to go on another rant — it just reminded me of the annoyance.
Anyways … as sexy as a Big 4 of Kyrie, KD, Booker and Beal would be, it’s not happening.
With the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement being what it is, it would be extremely difficult for the Suns to bring in Irving. If they landed him in a sign-and-trade, they’d be hard-capped at the first salary-cap apron, which is expected to be $172 million. On top of that, Phoenix won’t have access to either the $12.4 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception or the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception. (RELATED: REPORT: James Harden Opts In To Current Deal, Will Work With 76ers To Be Traded)
In other words, the numbers don’t work whatsoever.
Like I said … it’s not happening.