Windhorst: Kyrie Irving May Try to Get 76ers Interested amid Harden Trade Rumors

Fallout from James Harden's impending departure from Philadelphia may have ripple effects in Dallas.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Kyrie Irving could attempt to gauge the 76ers' interest in signing him in the coming days.

"Is it possible that Kyrie could investigate what's gonna happen with Philadelphia, if they move on from Harden? Yes. I expect him to try to see if he can get Philly interested, if for no other reason, to force Dallas' hand," Windhorst said Friday on Get Up.

Irving will officially become a free agent at 6 p.m. ET Friday. He's expected to meet with the Mavericks and Phoenix Suns early in the free-agency period, B/R's Chris Haynes reported Thursday. The Houston Rockets also expect to meet with Irving, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

The Suns' financial maneuverability is almost nonexistent after trading for Bradley Beal earlier this month. Phoenix would have to agree to a sign-and-trade with Dallas using Deandre Ayton as the centerpiece, all while negotiating a salary with Irving that would keep the Suns below the projected $172 million first tax apron.

In a nutshell: Unlikely is a kind way of putting it.

The Sixers might be a more feasible option as they explore the trade market for James Harden. It's unlikely Dallas would accept an Irving-Harden sign-and-trade—the prospect of Harden and Luka Doncic playing together sounds like a ball-stopping nightmare—but the parties could find a workable deal if a third team got in the mix.

The Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks have been mentioned among the teams interested in Harden.

All told, it remains highly unlikely Irving leaves Dallas. The Mavs can offer him the most money and have the greatest motivation to do so, as they have continually failed in surrounding Doncic with elite talent. While the Irving-Doncic duo struggled during their brief time together following February's trade deadline, Dallas will have a full offseason to find a workable roster around the pair while the All-Stars work on their chemistry.