NBA Rumors: Booker Wants Close Bud Russell In Phoenix If Irving Joins Nets

The Phoenix Suns could use a point guard to help Devin Booker next NBA season and D'Angelo Russell could be a logical fit. The 23-year-old could be available this summer although it all depends on whether the Brooklyn Nets can sign Kyrie Irving or not. Should that materialize, pundits believe that DLO would be misplaced in the rotation of head coach Kenny Atkinson and it may perhaps be better for the second overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft to take his act elsewhere.

The Suns are a plausible destination since Russell and Booker are tight. And if the opportunity arises, it seems that such would be the scenario if Phoenix is able to do the necessary adjustments to the team's salary budget, ESPN reported. Hence, this is perhaps the reason why the Suns are not that enthusiastic about bringing in Russell (for now), seeing they only have about $14 million in cap space. Russell could be offered a max contract deal by several teams after unfurling a breakout performance last NBA season.

But before all that, the Nets need to thresh out things on the future of their backcourt. As mentioned in a previous post, Brooklyn is in play to possible reel in Irving next season. Nothing has progressed as of this writing with some believing that the Nets (and other teams) wanted him and Kevin Durant joining forces in one team. With Durant suffering an Achilles injury that will likely keep him out next NBA season, the interest in signing Irving at this point have dwindled a bit.

Worth noting as well is that multiple teams are interested in signing Russell next season. The latest team reportedly considering it is the Los Angeles Lakers, the only other team that the one-time NBA All-Star has played for. DLO is open to the idea of possibly rejoining his former team but only if the price is right, much of which was discussed in a previous report. Compared to the Suns, the Lakers have a slightly better salary cap although it may still not be enough if Russell wants big money on the table.

Looking ahead, the Suns and the Lakers need to do the numbers crunch if they are determined to add Russell or any high profile player this summer. There will be a lot of available talent once NBA free agency kicks off, most moving to new ballclubs only if the conditions such as price is right.