James Harden Trade to Lead to Kyrie Irving Move from Mavs to Sixers?

ESPN's Brian Windhorst is gossiping that Kyrie Irving could eyeball the Philly situation and explore the idea of taking James Harden's spot on the 76ers.

Will the news on James Harden's offseason plan to exit the Philadelphia 76ers create a domino effect that might lead to the Dallas Mavs losing Kyrie Irving?

We know about Harden picking up his $35.6 million player option with the Philadelphia, with the two sides already mapping out a trade. (The Clippers and New York Knicks are getting mentioned as likely suitors.) We also know that Irving is a free agent who the Mavs have full intent of retaining ... even as there are some wonky rumors about him making visits. (Example: It seems the Kyrie-to-Suns thing is bogus.)

So what do the two guys have to do with one another, not counting them being ships that passed in the night at Brooklyn Nets teammates before both of them begged out of the big city?

It's ESPN's Brian Windhorst who is essentially gossiping that Irving could eyeball the Philly situation and explore the idea of taking Harden's spot on the 76ers.

"I would not be surprised if we see Kyrie want to investigate what's going on in Philadelphia," Windhorst said. "If Harden moves out, if there's a window for him to come in."

Windhorst talking about Kyrie Irving or Damian Lillard scenarios to Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/C2lWclaRN5

— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) June 29, 2023

"Would not be surprised''? That's the sort of pseudo-reportorial phrasing that forces us to use the word "gossiping.''

We believe the plan is for Irving is expected to officially meet with the Mavericks as free agency begins Friday. ... with Dallas needing to figure out how much to pay the controversial standout, who was acquired at the trade deadline in a blockbuster deal to play alongside Luka Doncic. Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game last season. ... and yet it has been speculated that the market for him will not be robust.

That of course is fine with the Mavs. ... and reason enough for Irving to want to find other potential bidders who could move the price up. What we cannot be sure of is whether reports of Irving "visiting'' other teams are legit - or are the result of media people subtly trying to help that "potential bidders'' cause.

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