The Boston Celtics wound up the big winners of the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, but other potential suitors for his services didn't finish far from the race, while others had no chance at all.
The Phoenix Suns were rumored to be one of the teams interested in the 25-year-old All-Star, but according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 Radio, they never really had a chance to acquire him.
Gambadoro did however note that the Milwaukee Bucks were actually close to striking a deal, offering Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, sharpshooter Khris Middleton and a first-round pick in exchange for Irving.
Boston ultimately offered a more succulent deal, throwing in defensive ace Jae Crowder, and extra player in Ante Zizic and a first-rounder that can easily fall as a lottery pick in the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick.
If Milwaukee would have ended up with Irving, a pairing with do-it-all machine Giannis Antetokounmpo and a recovering Jabari Parker would have made a feasible formula to make the playoffs every season from here on forward — asserting the franchise as an Eastern Conference contender.
The NBA offseason has once again proven the land of what happened, what could have happened, and the unforeseeable future that awaits the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers with their new pieces.
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