Phoenix Suns: 3 Trades to get Involved in the Kyrie Irving Sweepstakes

Phoenix Suns help send Kyrie Irving to the Indiana Pacers, get Torrey Craig

When Phoenix let Torrey Craig walk last year, they did so strictly due to their stiff budget situation. But with other teams inquiring about Irving, a path for him back to the Valley is now clear, setting up a potentially easy win for the Suns at the negations table.

If this trade goes down, the Nets will also walk away feeling victorious. Myles Turner gives them that premier center and Justin Holiday grants them another wing presence. As something of a bonus, Holiday might also lend Brooklyn some secrets in slowing down his brother on the Milwaukee Bucks. Elfird Payton would likely but cut though, as the Suns only send him over to even out their cap situation.

Back to Irving though, he represents a tougher commodity to sell to Indiana than to the Mavericks or Pelicans. They already carry several talented guard, making Irving slightly less valuable on their end.

But still, the Pacers look like a middle-ground team right now. They play to win, and might make the postseason, but lack the talent to even come close to contending.

But adding Irving allows them to avoid a rebuild for at least one more year, so they might jump the gun and try to snatch him up. Completing this deal also reunites Irving with Caris LeVert, who grew close to Irving during their time with the Nets.

The Suns also send away Abdel Nader to complete this exchange. He tried to replace Craig within the rotation this year, but has struggled since. Although he comes through with some heads-up plays every now and then, Craig embodies the far more talented player, making this deal worth it.

This transaction is the least likely to come into fruition, and would also not be possible until mid-December. However, it still brings home a fan-favorite player, which certainly looks like a fun thing to try