Sports
Phoenix Suns 2023 NBA free agency speculation includes Kyrie Irving – The Arizona Republic
NBA teams can start negotiating contracts with free agents on June 30 in what could be a wild 2023 NBA free agency period.
And a very important time for the Phoenix Suns, who could use some depth to help out stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Could the Suns make a big splash in NBA free agency?
Who could Phoenix sign?
Take a look at some speculation surrounding the team and NBA free agents ahead of the 2023 NBA free agency period.
Jedd Pagaduan writes: “If the Suns do end up trading away Chris Paul, Cameron Payne isn’t exactly a bad option at the point. Payne was the only one to show up during the Suns’ embarrassing Game 6 defeat to the Nuggets after all. But since the Suns need depth, acquiring Gabe Vincent to be their starting point guard — keeping Payne at his ideal role as a backup point guard — may be the shrewd move.”
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Jonathan Lurensky writes: “After the Suns made their trade for Kevin Durant, they entered the title contention conversation for the next two to three years. These playoffs proved that this team is missing a lot of depth. though The ceiling of this team is a short exit in the Western Conference Finals if they do not improve their supporting cast. If Phoenix does have depth behind a healthy Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, then they will have a chance to win the title.”
Tyler Watts writes: “Still, talent trumps all in the NBA, and few players are as talented as Irving. If the Suns want a point guard upgrade over Chris Paul, Kyrie is likely the best player available. Would KD welcome a reunion in Phoenix after everything that happened with the Nets? Irving could be looking to leave Dallas after their abysmal end to the season, and the Suns were rumored to be interested before the Mavs traded for the 6’2 guard.”
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Dana Scott writes: “Change is inevitable to the Phoenix Suns roster this summer, even if the team didn’t have an abysmal season-ending loss for the second straight year. Even before the dismissal of coach Monty Williams on Saturday, more than half of the team’s 15-man roster was set to enter free agency which begins on June 30. Those eight players from Phoenix’s bench include shooting guard Damion Lee and center Jock Landale, who are unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively.”
Eric Pincus writes: “VanVleet may be able to get Jalen Brunson-level dollars ($26 million per season), but his best path to a playoff contender could be to opt-in and extend. Under the incoming rules, VanVleet can sign an extension in July as part of a trade with a starting salary for 2024-25 as high as $32 million. That would open the door to a longer list of teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns or Brooklyn Nets.”
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Dan Favale writes: “Kyrie’s foray into free agency could be a non-issue. The Mavs are flawed in exactly the way they look on paper, and there have been some crunch-time warts, but they are handedly winning the minutes he plays with Luka Dončić. This might just all end with a long-term sub-max contract, or a short-term max contract, or an agreement somewhere in between. Could it also end with Kyrie (taking a pay cut and) signing with the Los Angeles Lakers? Or with the Phoenix Suns getting involved, for some reason? Or with him eyeing another team to be determined later? Or with him saying or doing something that prompts the Mavs to prioritize cap space or sign-and-trade scenarios over his retention?”
Trevor Booth writes of Craig: “He is 32 years old, so he might not be able to be the same player from an athletic standpoint. But Craig has been valuable for these Suns and seemed to earn the trust of Durant during the playoffs.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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