Kyrie Irving’s name keeps circling Miami, but the Heat are in no rush to turn interest into action.
According to Ethan Skolnick of 5ReasonsSports, Irving would be comfortable with the Heat if that opportunity ever materialized. Skolnick said, via ClutchPoints, “I think we’ve both heard he’s interested in playing down in Miami.
I also know Spoelstra holds him in very high regard,” Skolnick said. “All indications are this is a place he’d be comfortable.”
Even with that buzz, Skolnick doesn’t see anything close to immediate. His view is that Miami wants more time to sort out what Pelle Larsson can become and what Ryan Conwell might offer before making any kind of move.
That patience comes against a backdrop of early unevenness. The Heat snapped an 0-4 start with their first win, but Tracy McGrady still believes the roster needs more firepower.
“They don’t have enough scoring; they don’t have shooting,” McGrady said. “I think they’re gonna make some moves before the deadline to improve this team.”
For now, though, Irving’s interest and an actual deal remain separate things.
Elsewhere, the Lakers are tracking two Pelicans wings who could fill clear needs. Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints, as relayed by Owen Crisafulli of Heavy, reports that Los Angeles is keeping an eye on Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.
Both would make sense for different reasons. Murphy, who averaged 21.5 points last season, would give Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves another scoring threat. Jones would bring the kind of wing defense that can handle the toughest assignments.
The problem is price. Crisafulli notes that New Orleans has asked for two first-round picks for Jones, and Murphy’s asking price was enough to scare off teams over the summer. With the Lakers working with limited trade assets, matching those demands would not be easy.
That reporting says the Lakers are monitoring the situation, not that New Orleans is eager to deal either player or that Los Angeles is already pushing for a two-player package.
In Phoenix, the issue is simpler on paper and messier in practice: Devin Booker and Jalen Green can score, but who is running the offense?
“There’s some growing frustration within that locker room for the simple fact that that roster does not have a point guard that can organize that offense,” Chris Haynes reported, via Heavy.
Heavy’s take also raises a longer-term question about Green next to Booker. Green’s scoring is his strength, while the team has also considered the idea of starting Collin Gillespie, which would give Phoenix a more natural point guard but leave the perimeter group smaller.
That said, the notion that Green could become a trade candidate is analysis, not reporting that the Suns are actively shopping him. Haynes’ report centers on frustration with the offense, without identifying who in the locker room is voicing it.
In Other News...
Suns Face A Tough Rasheer Fleming Debate They Cant Ignore
Rasheer Flemings role in Phoenix has been easy to overlook so far, which is part of what makes the conversation around him worth having. He has appeared in only two games for the Suns and is not currently part of the main rotation under head coach Jordan Ott, a reality shaped by a team trying to keep its defensive structure intact while also giving minutes to other pieces, including Miles Bridges.
Still, Flemings situation is not just about present-day rotation math. The Suns are clearly weighing whether he can grow into the kind of two-way forward who fits next to Devin Booker, and that development path may end up deciding how much patience the organization is willing to show. For now, his opportunity remains limited, but the longer-term question is whether he can force his way into a more meaningful place in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Loss Put Two Frustrating Lineup Debates Front And Center
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The other issue was less dramatic but just as relevant for Phoenixs rotation. Jalen Green stayed in the starting lineup even with limited offensive production, while Collin Gillespie gave the second unit a lift and Oso Ighodaro made a noticeable impact in his return from injury with rebounds and assists. For a team still sorting out its best combinations, the loss in Denver put two lineup debates right back in the spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Enter A November Stretch That Could Calm Or Deepen Doubts
The early tone around Phoenix has been uneasy enough, with a 1-3 start and an offense still searching for rhythm while the starting lineup goes without a point guard. November now offers a chance to steady things in a way the Suns have not had in a while, thanks to a long homestand that stands as their longest since the 2020-2021 season. For a team trying to settle its identity, the next few weeks should provide a clearer read on whether the issues are fixable or already becoming a pattern.
The schedule does not stay friendly for long. After the home stretch, the Suns head into a five-game road trip that includes NBA Cup games, and the calendar after Thanksgiving brings matchups against teams built around notable young players. That creates an interesting contrast for a roster leaning in a different direction, and it gives this month a chance to say a lot about where Phoenix really stands before the season gets much deeper. [Read more 🡒]