The Phoenix Suns are knee-deep in trade talks for Cavaliers’ star point guard Kyrie Irving, but are setting their limits at potential cost. According to Arizona Sports 98.7’s John Gambadoro on Twitter Phoenix is unwilling to part with rookie forward Josh Jackson, the fourth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Irving made it known to the Cavaliers that he wants to be traded, but Phoenix is not on the list of preferred destinations.
The Phoenix Suns will NOT include Josh Jackson in any trade for Kyrie Irving.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 25, 2017
Irving made it known to the Cavaliers that he wants to be traded, but Phoenix is not on the list of preferred destinations. The Suns are in the midst of a youth movement with star shooting guard Devin Booker and young prospects Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Jackson. Phoenix has long-coveted a star player to give the fan base someone to get behind. They chased Blake Griffin this past offseason and LaMarcus Aldridge prior, but giving up Jackson appears to be the breaking point.
Gambadoro also says that the Suns were close to acquiring Irving on the night of the NBA Draft. Eric Bledsoe and the fourth pick would have headed to Cleveland, with the pick being sent to Indiana for Paul George. The trade fell apart, but proves that Phoenix’s interest in Irving is not a newfound obsession.
Here is what I know – the Suns were "very very very" close to acquiring Kyrie Irving on draft day.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 25, 2017
The Suns may be saying Jackson is unavailable in trade, but nothing is for sure. The Cavaliers also said Andrew Wiggins would not be traded, but he was subsequently sent to Minnesota for Kevin Love. If Phoenix is serious about Irving, it will likely mean parting with their newest blue-chip prospect, a tough pill to swallow.
