Kyrie Irving to Test Free Agency; Are Suns Still Interested?
The Phoenix Suns have been keeping tabs on Kyrie Irving for some time now.
There were whispers of Phoenix pursuing Irving last summer before he ultimately stayed with the Brooklyn Nets to begin the season. After he requested to be moved at the trade deadline, the Suns reportedly made an offer for Irving before ultimately acquiring Kevin Durant.
Irving and the Dallas Mavericks haven't quite seen the success they hoped for - the team is just 9-16 after the trade and are in great danger of missing the postseason.
Irving is expected to test free agency rather than re-sign with the Mavericks according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.
"Despite the Dallas Mavericks' struggles since acquiring Kyrie Irving, the plan is still to re-sign the star guard, league sources told Bleacher Report. Irving is eligible for an extension, but he will instead allow his future to be decided in free agency this summer, sources said."
Are the Suns still interested?
In late March, NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers were frequently mentioned in league inner circles as suitors for Irving in the offseason.
Phoenix is looking for a future replacement for point guard Chris Paul, who will be 38-years-old next season. Durant and Irving have both been on record to say they enjoyed playing with each other, and perhaps the superstar's arrival in the desert would sway Irving to join Phoenix.
As far as talent goes, there's few guards who match Irving's ability to create his own shot. However, seemingly every stop he's been at has resulted in a fire that was only successfully put out after his departure.
The risk/reward is something general manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams will have to weigh when building the team in the offseason. However, there's a clear interest from the Suns in Irving's talent.
