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With the NBA free agency about to take off in full, the Kyrie Irving rumors are starting to heat up. Previous reports came out with an amazing update that “Uncle Drew” would be reuniting with the Phoenix Suns.
However, longtime radio talk show host John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 has emphatically refuted this claim:
“The sun won’t set on Kyrie Irving. That’s ridiculous!”
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Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are good friends. They made a super team in Brooklyn after leaving the Golden State Warriors (Durant) and Boston Celtics (Irving). Despite being considered the most skilled pairing of all time, they only had one playoff win to show their nearly four years with the Nets.
Both requested a trade with the KD going to the Phoenix Suns while Kyrie Irving was shipped to the Dallas Mavericks. Irving and Dallas were unable to come to an agreement before he became an unrestricted free agent.
What makes the Irving-to-the-Suns rumors mind-boggling is the amount of money Irving would have to leave on the table to get together with Kevin Durant. Phoenix can only offer him the veteran minimum of $3 million.
The Dallas Mavericks could give him a deal with a maximum of $279 million for five years or a four-year contract worth $210 million. Any team other than Dallas could offer him four years for $201 million.
Kyrie Irving reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets because his former team wouldn’t give him a max deal. It was also rumored that “Uncle Drew” had turned down the Mavs’ initial two-year offer of $86 million when he arrived from Brooklyn.
Signing Irving to play with the Phoenix Suns, as they are currently built, would be one of the most incredible stories in NBA history. To leave that amount of money to play for teammates he’s comfortable around and chasing a championship would be unprecedented.
Most teams might not be willing to give Kyrie Irving a maximum deal
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told reporters after his team was eliminated from the competition that re-signing Kyrie Irving was a top priority. Cuban added that bringing Irving back would also depend on price. Dallas may have second thoughts about a five-year, $279 million contract.
May all teams in the NBA share their sentiments. Irving usually has a good start to whatever team he plays for before becoming a distraction in a drama.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets all had Irving’s full experience and each franchise’s fanbase was glad he was gone. The Mavericks want a star pairing with Luka Doncic but perhaps not at the expense or risk of what Irving brings.
“Uncle Drew” was a model citizen in the few months he was in Dallas. One could argue that he was playing a contract year. The mercurial point guard could go back to his old ways after getting a huge deal.
And Irving reportedly wants to meet interested teams. Some say he’s looking for leverage the way he did when he first wanted out of Brooklyn.
Basketball fans are intrigued by the future of “Uncle Drew.” They can’t wait for him to announce his decision on where to play next.
Also read: Kyrie Irving linked up with Suns amid trade rumors that made NBA fans go crazy: ‘KD never gets over superteam claims’
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