NBA Trades: 3 deals for the Phoenix Suns to land a third star

NBA Trades: The Phoenix Suns land Kyrie Irving in a major offseason trade.

Ayton struggled in the team’s playoff series against the Nuggets, and rumors state that he could be traded this summer. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are rumored to be interested in Ayton, making them a potential trade partner. However, their first order of business will be to re-sign All-Star Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks acquired Irving in a blockbuster trade from the Nets but failed to work out an extension with him, leaving the door open for him to bolt in free agency.

While there don’t appear to be many potential landing spots for Irving, the Suns could be an option, though it would require the Mavericks’ help to make it happen. If Irving agreed to join Phoenix, the Suns and Mavericks could work out a blockbuster sign-and-trade in which Paul and Ayton are shipped to Dallas while Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. join the Suns.

For the Mavericks, although re-signing Irving is probably their top goal, if he agrees to join Phoenix, playing ball on a sign-and-trade would at least get them a player that they are rumored to be interested in. It would also land them Paul, who, while nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, could help Dallas next season.

After that, things would be very much up in the air for Dallas unless Ayton thrives with the Mavericks. Despite that, the Mavericks can’t afford to let Irving leave for nothing. In fact, they would almost certainly take back Paul and Ayton, even if it’s a lateral move at best for a team that underachieved this season and missed the playoffs.

Irving would be a wildcard acquisition for the Phoenix Suns.

As for Phoenix, adding Irving in a sign-and-trade for the cost of Paul and Ayton, a player who, although talented, has underachieved, would be a steal. Despite being a headcase, Irving is also incredibly talented and could give Phoenix an impossible-to-stop offensive trio when paired with Booker and Durant. Additionally, McGee would give the Suns a stop-gap starter and Hardaway Jr. would improve their depth and provide more shooting.

Adding Irving could make the Suns the team to beat in the West, though it may also backfire. He’s caused headaches for the three teams he was previously on and hasn’t been in Dallas long enough to do the same. Still, it’s clear that the new Suns’ owner Matt Ishbia wants to win now, and if Irving wants to come to Phoenix, Ishbia could potentially make that happen.