The Phoenix Suns were keen to trade for Kyrie Irving before the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday and were set to offer a package around Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and one-first round pick.
The offer was submitted within the first 18 hours of Irving’s trade request, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. Sources close to the deal believe three-first round picks would’ve been hard for the Nets to decline, per The Athletic.
However, being fully aware that they only have one 2023 first-round draft pick to show for the next few seasons ahead, the Suns front office started coming to terms with reality and accepted that Irving to Phoenix was highly unlikely as time went on.
In the end, it was the Dallas Mavericks who prevailed and levelled with the Nets’ trade demands, which involved a package containing ex-guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who played in Brooklyn from 2016 until 2021.
Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round, and multiple second-round draft picks were also included in the deal for Irving, league sources disclosed on Sunday.
The Suns included Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and a first-round pick in a trade for Kyrie Irving
Irving was eventually traded to Dallas, despite Phoenix showing initial interest in the player
The Nets, who lost heavy future draft compensation when Sean Marks traded for James Harden in January 2021, now have three first-rounders to use via trade.
Other players, such as the likes of sharp shooters Joe Harris and Seth Curry, could garner interest across the league before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.
Brooklyn’s front office is also expecting rival executives to now trade for its star power forward Kevin Durant, as the two-time NBA champion will surely look to improve his chances of winning a championship elsewhere now that Irving’s gone.
The Suns lead the pack of teams interested while the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers have also expressed interest.
Durant is in the first year of a four-year, $198million contract extension that he signed in 2021. Therefore, it will take significant future draft compensation to trade for the 34-year-old.
He’s currently injured with an MCL sprain, and has been out since January 8. Brooklyn lost seven of its last 13 games without its star man, who’s expected to return for the All-Star Game on February 19.
Irving’s departure could see Brooklyn trade Kevin Durant to the Suns or even another team
