The Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft and several second-round picks; but that does not mean that they have not received other tempting offers, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.
A report by Shams Charania revealed that the Suns offered 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and a first-round draft pick to the Nets for Irving, but Brooklyn wanted two more first-round picks.
The Suns did not improve their proposal and the Nets, in their eagerness to get rid of the point guard’s contract, accepted the best offer they had on the table, that of Dallas.
The 37-year-old Paul is averaging 13.8 points per game, 8.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 38.9% shooting from three-pointers this season, however his injuries have affected his performance. In addition, he signed a partially guaranteed contract for 120 million dollars in 2021; which does not make it an appetizing piece on the market.
Irving, meanwhile, was named one of the starters for the Eastern Conference All-Star Game, and is averaging 27.1 points per game, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.4% shooting from three-pointers in what it’s in season
