Kyrie Irving Plans to Meet With Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have long been after the talents of Kyrie Irving, and now a meeting is expected to happen between the two sides.
NBA on TNT's Chris Haynes is reporting the Suns and Irving are expected to meet when free agency begins.
"Star point guard Kyrie Irving is expected to meet with the Phoenix Suns along with the Dallas Mavericks and possibly other teams when NBA free agency begins on June 30, league sources tell TNT/Bleacher Report. The Houston Rockets could seek a meeting as well, according to sources.
"Meetings are expected to take place in Los Angeles, sources say.
"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.
"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 Suns initially tried to acquire Irving from the Brooklyn Nets at the NBA trade deadline but were unable to outbid the Dallas Mavericks. Irving, who had a player option for this summer, was still considered a target for Phoenix even after the deadline, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Irving would arrive to a top heavy rotation of players that includes Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton, the four of which combining for $160+ million against the salary cap.
A sign-and-trade could be potentially worked out between Phoenix and Dallas, as the Mavericks have been heavily interested in Ayton for the past few months now.
