NBA Trade Deadline 2023: Could Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant reunite in Phoenix this summer?

By James On Feb 9, 2023

Kevin Durant’s association with close friend Kyrie Irving came to an end with their respective trades to Phoenix and Dallas this week, but the two could reunite with the Suns next season, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“If you think this is over, it’s not over,” Windhorst said on ESPN of Irving, who will be a free agent this summer. “Kyrie was really interested in being in Phoenix, so he starts thinking about it.”

The Nets have reportedly agreed to trade Durant to the Suns for four future first-round picks, as well as forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder, who will be sent to Milwaukee as part of the three-team deal. Brooklyn will also get five future second-round picks in the Crowder trade, according to multiple reports.

This comes after Nets GM Sean Marks traded Irving to Dallas in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and a future first-round pick.

But while Durant is signed through the 2025-26 season, Irving may be a free agent this summer, when Chris Paul’s $30 million salary is only partially guaranteed. If Paul, 38, retires, is released or renegotiates his contract, the Suns could afford to acquire All-Star Irving.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Irving said he was “praying for [Durant’s] happiness’ and their ‘well-being’.

“We had a lot of conversations throughout the year about what our future would look like,” Irving said.

“There was still a level of uncertainty, but we only cared about seeing each other in places where we can thrive, either together or apart.”

In his Dallas debut, Irving scored 24 points and the Mavericks never trailed as they beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-104 on Wednesday night.

“It felt good to get this debut out of the way,” Irving said. “It has been a long 96 hours, almost no sleep at times. It’s the first time I’ve been traded in the middle of the season, so it was new to me, but I’m excited to be here.’

With Luka Doncic still sidelined with injury, Irving blended in well with his young teammates just three days after the eight-time All-Star was traded by the Brooklyn Nets. He was part of a 13-0 run early in the game, scoring eight points on a jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers.

‘The biggest thing we emphasized as a team was just not forcing the ball on me. We just want to play natural basketball,” Irving said. ‘You don’t always have to come to me. You can play with me, I can play without the ball, I can cut.

Irving had four rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of what amounted to a dress rehearsal before Doncic returned to give the Mavs a powerful backcourt. Irving was greeted with applause and a boy with a welcome-to-the-team sign when he was introduced as part of the starting lineup.

Irving had four rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of what amounted to a dress rehearsal before Doncic returned to give the Mavs a powerful backcourt. Irving was greeted with applause and a boy holding a sign welcoming him to the team as he was introduced as part of the starting lineup.

“I’m sure when number 77 comes back, it’s going to be even more fun to see him and play there,” Irving said.

Early in the fourth, Irving fouled Paul George. A Clippers fan yelled at him: ‘I love you, but that was blatant.’ Irving laughed and shook his head.

The Mavs scored 41 points in the first quarter on 60% shooting from the floor. They outscored the Clippers 21-9 early in the game, fueled by Irving’s offense.

“He makes things look easy,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. ‘The level of comfort he feels with us, you could see it in the game. He is at peace with his basketball game.