Phoenix Suns trade rumors, speculation: Team included in Kyrie Irving odds, landing spots
Kyrie #Kyrie
NBA trade speculation and rumors have surrounded the Phoenix Suns all season.
Will the team make any moves before the 2023 NBA trade deadline on Feb. 9?
Check out the latest chatter involving the team, including a report that the Suns are a “potential suitor” for Kyrie Irving.
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More:Jae Crowder trade odds, speculation includes Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks
USA TODAY Sports: Suns among potential landing spots for Kyrie Irving
Jeff Zillgitt included Phoenix among six destinations for the Brooklyn Nets guard. Of the Suns, he wrote: “Phoenix has been searching for a deal since early in the season. Chris Paul has been in and out of the lineup and Devin Booker hasn’t played since Dec. 25. The Suns need backcourt help, and Irving can provide it. It would take some work on both sides to make this deal work in terms of outgoing and incoming salaries for the Nets.”
Action Network: Suns included in odds to trade for Kyrie Irving
The site has Phoenix at +575 to land the guard, fifth in its odds. The Los Angeles Lakers lead the odds at +125, with the Miami Heat second at +275 and the Dallas Mavericks third at +375.
The Los Angeles Clippers are fourth at +400.
The Athletic: Suns included among ‘potential suitors’ for Kyrie Irving
Shams Charania tweeted: “The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have emerged as potential suitors for Brooklyn Nets All-Star starter Kyrie Irving, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.”
Bleacher Report: Suns’ deal could keep Phoenix, Brooklyn in championship pursuit
Chris B. Haynes tweeted: “Phoenix is viewed as one of the few teams capable of facilitating a deal with Brooklyn that could keep both teams in championship pursuit.”
Sports Illustrated: What can Suns offer in Kyrie Irving trade?
Donnie Druin wrote: “This is definitely not the preferred method, but if you’re getting Irving then you’re definitely putting (Chris) Paul on the block. CP3 is 37-years-old and is definitely on the downslope of his career but still is capable of providing some juice left to a Nets team that may still be looking to contend this season.”
ESPN: Suns trade Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne to Lakers for Patrick Beverley
We don’t think Suns fans will dig this one. ESPN suggested the Suns send Crowder and Payne to Los Angeles for Beverley (a noted Suns villain) Wenyen Gabriel and Juan Toscano-Anderson.
It’s reasoning?
Andre Snellings wrote: “Gabriel and Toscano-Anderson are long, athletic wing/forward types who have shown they can contribute as rotation role players. With the way that injuries have rocked the Suns this season, healthy role players in the frontcourt provide tangible value as well for a team that still has postseason aspirations. Beverley is redundant on the Lakers, with both Westbrook and Dennis Schroder playing well and LeBron James as the de facto point guard. Their well-documented need is shooting, and Crowder would immediately fill the glue guy/3-and-D forward role that he has perfected in recent seasons. Crowder has knocked down two 3-pointers per game on average in his past five seasons. When healthy, Payne would also give them 3-point shooting as a backup perimeter guard, and with the Lakers’ salary-cap situation, having him signed for an additional two seasons after this one would be a plus for them.”
Good luck convincing Suns fans to go for that one.
Marc Stein recently reported that Phoenix is starting to look at life without Chris Paul, which has prompted a lot of speculation from various sites as to potential trades the Suns could make to get help at the position. Yahoo’s Jake Fischer recently reported that Phoenix was “in search of backcourt improvements,” prompting more questions about the Suns and guards at the NBA trade deadline.
ESPN: Suns trade Jae Crowder for Seth Curry
Maybe this trade suggestion would go over better in Phoenix? The site suggested Phoenix send Crowder to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Seth Curry, Kessler Edwards and two second-round picks.
Tim Bontemps wrote: “Brooklyn can at least give Phoenix a good player in Seth Curry, who can space the floor around Devin Booker and play off the ball. Curry’s contract is up after this season and Edwards has a team option for 2023-24, which, along with the extra second-round picks, would leave Phoenix with more options in the future as Mat Ishbia gets set to take over as owner.”
We’re not sure Suns fans would buy any trade with Brooklyn not including Kevin Durant …
Bryan Kalbrosky had the Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet No. 1 on his list, which included six other guards.
Of VanVleet, he wrote: “Perhaps the best overall fit for the Suns is Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors, an NBA champion who got his first All-Star nod last season. He is one of the rumored targets for the Suns, per Marc Stein.”
The Suns are included in a list of potential teams to trade for the Raptors’ defensive standout, with Phoenix given +175 odds.
Only the Memphis Grizzlies, at +130, have better odds for a different team for Anunoby at the NBA trade deadline (the Raptors keeping him is also at +130). The New York Knicks are at +500, while “any other team” is at +1000.
More:Sources: Jae Crowder, Milwaukee Bucks have talked after Phoenix Suns granted permission
ESPN: ‘Fake’ trade idea involving Chris Paul, D’Angelo Russell
ESPN’s Zach Lowe suggested a “fake trade” idea on a recent podcast.
He said: “Chris Paul’s just better than D’Angelo Russell. If I’m making that trade as Phoenix, I’m doing it solely because I’m giving up on this season and I want to re-sign D’Lo and pair him with his friend Devin Booker.”
The Big Lead: Suns a ‘realistic’ trade option for OG Anunoby
Liam McKeone wrote: “A likely package would be Crowder, Johnson, and two first-round picks. The Raptors get draft capital and two useful players to flip for even more draft capital should they so desire. The Suns get Anunoby to make an incredibly dangerous starting five that can go toe-to-toe with the best the West has to offer. Toronto might hold out in hopes they can get a worse team to give up an equal package for Anunoby but if they want him gone by the deadline this feels right.”
What it means:NBA expected to approve billionaire Mat Ishbia as new Phoenix Suns owner before trade deadline
Bleacher Report: Suns acquire D’Angelo Russell in 4-team trade proposal
Eric Pincus suggested a trade where Phoenix landed Russell in a monster trade that had the Suns sending Chris Paul to the Lakers.
That would certainly be a monster trade, but it has to be considered very unlikely, however.
Of Russell’s fit in Arizona, Pincus wrote: “Russell, who turns 27 in February, has a pre-NBA relationship with three-time All-Star Devin Booker. He’s also averaging 17.8 points with 6.2 assists a game while shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range. The Suns could try to issue him an extension (for two additional years) or let the market dictate his price to stay. Does he fit coach Monty Williams’ style? Paul is a true, old-school point guard and staunch defender (at least in his prime). That’s not entirely Russell, but he may be the best guard available to the Suns.”
Fansided: Chris Paul trade for Suns doesn’t make sense
Jason Reed wrote: “Paul is a regressing point guard and that is the entire reason why it it theorized that the Suns could move off on him. While CP3 is regressing, his contract is not that bad. He is making $28.4 million and $30.8 million next season with a non-guaranteed salary the following year. In a league where players make $40 million+, it could be worse. Plus, the Suns are never going to get back what they should for Paul. Even with Paul’s regression, D’Angelo Russell would be a huge downgrade. Russell does not play winning basketball and there is a reason why Minnesota may want to pivot off of him in the first place. The idea of the Suns trading Paul only to bring in Russell and potentially make him the long-term replacement is silly. They are better off riding out whatever Paul has left.”
The Athletic: Suns gave permission for Milwaukee Bucks to meet with Jae Crowder
Shams Charania wrote: “In a new development, the Suns have given permission to the Bucks to meet with Crowder, league sources tell The Athletic. The Bucks are believed to be the only team that has received permission to visit one-on-one with Crowder, those sources have also indicated. Multiple teams, including the Miami Heat and Hawks, remain interested in Crowder, who is seen by championship-contending teams as a fortifying acquisition at the deadline.”
Charania included the latest Milwaukee offer to the Suns for Crowder: “Both the Suns and Bucks have engaged in serious trade talks for months, with current proposals surrounding Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and second-round draft compensation to Phoenix for Crowder, according to sources.”
Clutch Points: Suns need to take risk, trade for OG Anunoby
Jedd Pagaduan wrote: “Nevertheless, contending windows rarely arrive. Thus, contending teams take risks. Imagining a defense with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby pestering the opposition should be the stuff of Suns fans’ dreams. Anunoby would also give the Suns another weapon to throw at stars such as Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, and Steph Curry come postseason time. And if the Suns could swing a trade for Anunoby without giving up sweet-shooting forward Cam Johnson, then that already looks like a huge win, draft pick risks be damned.”
OddsChecker: Knicks favorite to land Chris Paul
The site listed odds for Chris Paul’s next team had had the New York Knicks at +200 odds to get the point guard, if the Suns decide to trade him. The Toronto Raptors were second at +250, with the Charlotte Hornet at +350.
Action Network: Suns aggressively pursuing point guards
Matt Moore wrote: “The Suns and the Clippers are the two teams most aggressive in pursuing point guards, according to league sources. … The Suns have also been linked to Fred VanVleet, but given that there has yet to be any sign from Phoenix that they want to get ahead of Chris Paul’s decline and move the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer, the Suns would be looking for a backup point guard which doesn’t fit FVV’s profile. (Again, zero known interest from the Suns in trading CP3, but other executives are keeping a side eye on that situation in the event that Phoenix — with new ownership reportedly set to be in place soon — decides to focus on sustaining a core around Devin Booker.) The Bulls and Suns have had conversations about a deal involving Coby White for Jae Crowder in recent weeks, but no real traction is thought to be present.”
More:Should Phoenix Suns ‘blow it up’? Charles Barkley thinks so
The Athletic: Suns monitoring status of Raptors’ OG Anunoby
Charania wrote: “The Knicks and Suns are among the interested suitors in Raptors forward OG Anunoby, sources say. New York has shown a willingness to offer multiple first-round picks for Anunoby, according to those sources. The Suns, meanwhile, have control of all of their first-round picks — eight in total —through 2030. SNY first reported the Knicks’ interest last week.”
Bleacher Report: Suns among teams connected to Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins
Eric Pincus wrote: “Collins isn’t for everyone because he’s owed $78.5 million over the next three seasons (player option on the final year). But then, for teams that struggle to land free agents, Collins’ contract may hold a certain appeal if the price to acquire him via trade isn’t overwhelming. … Collins is one of the most talked-about names on the trade market all season; he’s been connected to various teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, Mavericks and Clippers.”
More:Kyle Kuzma trade odds: Phoenix Suns favored to acquire Washington Wizards star
Michael Pina wrote: “Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Deandre Ayton are a championship-caliber starting five. Anunoby is an upgrade over Crowder in just about every way and is capable of playing some small-ball five against teams in the West that will downsize during the postseason. Depending on the matchup, lineups that plug Cam Johnson in for Ayton or Paul could be diabolical in a playoff setting.”
Action Network: Suns a buyer at NBA trade deadline
Matt Moore writes: “The Suns can try and include Crowder in a broader deal for a significant upgrade, which is what they’ve been chasing since last summer when they had hopes of seizing on the Net’s chaos to add Kevin Durant. The Suns are said to still be constantly looking for that kind of move. That’s not to say they’re the only team who would love to add a superstar, but that most conversations with the Suns veer towards grander ideas. However, those grander ideas are always more difficult to make work, and so the likelihood of Crowder being moved for a singular role player, whether it’s Eric Gordon, Josh Hart, or some other replacement wing, remains high.”
More:LeBron James trade to Suns? NBA scout says Phoenix is ‘ideal candidate’ for Lakers star
Clutch Points: ‘Dream’ scenario for Suns to trade Jae Crowder for John Collins
Enzo Flojo wrote: “To address that, the Suns may look to strengthen their roster at the deadline. They can shoot for the moon and make a play for Atlanta’s John Collins. Sure, the cost of his contract may be an obstacle, but Collins’ potential fit is tantalizing. His lack of offensive creativity will not be an issue for the team as they have enough playmaking to compensate for it. He is a versatile player who can hurt defenses out of pick-and-pop sets and add a new dynamic to the Suns squad. He can also play as a center in smaller lineups. When paired with Deandre Ayton, this would also create a massive and imposing duo that could overpower opponents. This would be the dream scenario for the Suns — acquiring John Collins in exchange for Jae Crowder and perhaps someone like Dario Saric.”
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns trade rumors, speculation: Team included in Kyrie Irving odds, landing spots