The Phoenix Suns were listed as one of the three early suitors when Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from Brooklyn.
Yet just two days later, the Dallas Mavericks were able to edge themselves ahead of the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for Irving's presence. They sent over Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks which included a 2029 first-round selection to the Nets.
Now, the Suns will likely have to face Irving and Luka Doncic in one of the best (on paper) tandems in the league at some point in a potential postseason run.
Yet how close was Phoenix to making a deal?
TNT's Chris Haynes unveiled the trade packages the Lakers and Suns sent to Brooklyn:
"They still have championship aspirations. They still feel like they have a team that's capable of making a deep run," said Haynes.
"What I can tell everybody as far as what other packages were out there: If you take the Lakers, sources told me they did include both of their first-round pick - I believe it's 2027 and 2029 … The Phoenix Suns - and this may surprise folks - sources have told me they proposed a package based around Chris Paul and Jae Crowder and some unspecified picks for Kyrie Irving. At the end of the day, the Nets felt like the Mavericks had the best package."
Full video:
The Suns are in control of their draft picks through 2030 and have been rumored to be exploring options of their future beyond Chris Paul. Haynes also reported earlier in the day that Phoenix would be prepared to make a run for Kevin Durant - should he become available.
The league's trade deadline is Feb. 9; we'll see if anything comes to fruition.
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