Kyrie Irving is one of the biggest names available in NBA free agency this summer, however, it seems that the Phoenix Suns’ trading for Bradley Beal has only further shrunk what was already a small market for the future Hall-of-Famer.
While Kyrie Irving is one of the best players the NBA has seen over the last decade, he has also don’t a great deal to damage his reputation around the sport. That is why the market for his services this summer is not as strong as one would expect for an eight-time All-Star with some prime years still in front of him.
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Nevertheless, heading into June there were still believed to be a few teams beyond the Dallas Mavericks that had an interest in him because he is one of the most gifted players in the game. However, that may have changed after this weekend’s blockbuster trade between the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards.
- Kyrie Irving stats (’22-’23): 27.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38% 3PT
Bradley Beal trade reportedly leaves Kyrie Irving only one option in NBA free agency
In a Sunday newsletter, NBA insider Marc Stein explained how the Suns’ deal for Beal now takes one of the strongest dark horse contenders for Kyrie Irving off the board. This of course follows various reports over the last couple of weeks that the Los Angeles Lakers — another rumored contender — have no intention of pursuing Irving either.
Stein reports that the word around the NBA now is that the Dallas Mavericks seem to be the only real suitor for Kyrie Irving just a couple of weeks away from the start of NBA free agency.
The NBA insider did suggest the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets could eventually jump into the chase for Irving. However, it seems he is still a backup option to other players the teams have more interest in.
Stein claims Miami is now completely focused on seeing if Damian Lillard asks for a trade from Portland after the NBA Draft, while Irving would be the Rockets’ third choice in NBA free agency after, of course, James Harden and Fred VanVleet.
It all now puts the Dallas Mavericks in a great position where maybe they will now be able to re-sign Kyrie Irving and now have to give him a max contract.