The Phoenix Suns just pulled off a blockbuster trade for three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards.
Beal now forms the latest iteration of an NBA super team with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But this nearly never came to fruition.
Ian Begley of SNY reports that Phoenix reached out to the Dallas Mavericks about a sign-and-trade for Kyrie Irving before pulling the trigger on Beal. Presumably, the Mavericks were not interested in what the Suns had to offer. As Begley notes, Irving would be on the Suns if Dallas “was blown away by the offer.”
Phoenix ultimately offered up Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, future second-round selections and pick swaps to acquire Beal. It’s safe to assume that the team offered this up to Dallas, too.
Related: Analyzing the Phoenix Suns trade for Bradley Beal
Imagine the frenzy it would’ve created if the Phoenix Suns were able to land Irving in a sign-and-trade with Dallas. Remember, he went the Brooklyn Nets back in the summer of 2019 in a packaged deal with Durant. Things did not work out in the Big Apple with the pair being sent to different cities during the in-season NBA trade deadline.
Realistically, Kyrie Irving would have been a better on-court fit in Phoenix than Beal. He’s a natural point guard. With their roster as it is currently constructed, the Suns will likely rely more on Booker for ball-handling duties.
They are also currently engaged in trade talks with other teams surrounding enigmatic center Deandre Ayton. Perhaps, a trade could net the Suns a point guard to team up with their current big three.
As for Dallas, it’s now increasingly likely that Irving will return to the team. Struggles were the name of the game after he was acquired from Brooklyn. However, the pairing of Irving and Luka Doncic still seems great on paper.