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Kyrie Irving Suns NBA free agency speculation swirls. Could it … – The Arizona Republic
Could the Phoenix Suns make a huge splash in NBA free agency?
Bleacher Report and TNT’s Chris Haynes reported that the team is expected to meet with star point guard Kyrie Irving when NBA free agency begins Friday.
According to Haynes, Irving, who played with the Dallas Mavericks after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets last season, is also expected to meet with the Mavericks and “possibly other teams,” including the Houston Rockets.
The meetings are expected to occur in Los Angeles, according to Haynes’ report.
Irving was a teammate of Kevin Durant’s in Brooklyn and would give the Suns a huge boost at point guard after Phoenix traded Chris Paul in the deal to acquire Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards earlier this month.
Cameron Payne, the Suns’ backup point guard last season, is still on the roster and Devin Booker can play the position.
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Haynes attempted to answer that question in his report.
“The Suns are still being ultra-aggressive in trying to assemble top talent to play alongside their three stars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. New Suns governor Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones are working tirelessly to construct a legitimate championship team,” Haynes wrote. “It would be difficult for the Suns to add Irving due to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. If they acquired him via sign-and-trade, they would be hard-capped at the first salary-cap apron, which is currently projected to be $172 million. They also aren’t expected to have access to the $12.4 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception or the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception at the moment. The Mavericks are still considered the favorites to re-sign Irving. They would ideally like to get a commitment from him early in free agency so he could assist in recruiting other free agents. Irving is eligible for a five-year, $272 million max contract.”
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This isn’t the first time the Suns have been linked to Irving in speculation, as the point guard has been connected to Phoenix in either trade or free agency rumors several times in recent years.
The Suns looked to trade Paul to Brooklyn for Irving before the Feb. 9 trade deadline last season.
Dallas ended up getting him and Phoenix landed Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal.
Previously:Should Phoenix Suns target free agents Kyrie Irving or Fred VanVleet if they move Chris Paul?
Social media had thoughts on the report that Irving was meeting with the Suns. Did it ever.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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