01 Aug 2017 23:07:57
Cleveland Cavaliers - Phoenix Suns

Cleveland trades: Kyrie Irving, Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder.

Phoenix trades: Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender, T. J. Warren and two first round picks ('18 and '21 via Miami) .

Cleveland gets a nice haul for Kyrie. Meanwhile, Phoenix gets their star and keep their young stud in Josh Jackson.


1.) 02 Aug 2017
02 Aug 2017 04:07:35
I guess this in a wrinkle that Suns could add to try and keep their 1st (add both Miami picks and add Warren) . It's probably a wise move with the Suns likely to still be in lottery and Heat to likely to make playoffs in a weakened east especially with the top of next year's draft having several strong center prospects which would be the Suns only weak starting spot after this trade (Irving, Booker, Jackson, Chriss) . If their pick lands close to top they could potentially land Bamba or Ayton but even if its a late lottery pick Nick Richards or Mitchell Robinson or they could opt for a more of a tweener type like Jaren Jackson, Robert Williams or even Miles Bridges especially if they dealt Chriss instead of Bender. They also could always trade the pick and/ or move some combo of Chandler, Knight and Dudley to free up the cap space to offer up to the max to a FA next summer.

After playing through these scenarios I think Suns should without a doubt go aggressively after Kyrie. They have a ton of young assets at their disposal and they'd be wise to cash some in for a proven superstar who would also help put them in the discussion for top FA while still having young guys who can develop and turn them into a serious team in a few years.


2.) 02 Aug 2017
02 Aug 2017 07:57:59
Jaw457 you say they should go all in for Irving, then you say they can be a serious team in a few years. The problem with that is Irving only under contract for 2 years, and phoenix isn't going to be a playoff team either of those years so why would he stay? From what I'm hearing from suns reporters is that they really aren't that serious about Irving, but because they have all these assets they keep getting brought up in rumors. I just don't see the point in trading away a bunch of potential along with Bledsoe who only averaged 4 points less a game last year and had better stats in other categories for a guy who would most likely cripple the growth of booker.


3.) 02 Aug 2017
02 Aug 2017 14:34:58
Skills, I'm not sure how adding an allstar level player is going to cripple Bookers growth. I feel like playing on a team that's tanking probably hurts players more than playing beside talent. Even with Irving, I agree that in a stacked West they probably don't make the playoffs, but they set themselves up to make a run at another star next offseason and become a really good team. They would still have all of their picks and the players they're really trying to build around.


4.) 02 Aug 2017
02 Aug 2017 15:39:14
IMO, the need for PHX right now . is a "real" PG. not a stat stuffer like Bledsoe. who also holds the ball too long. nor is it a dynamic scorer who evidently doesn't feel the need to pass much. or play defense. like Kyrie Irving. I think the Suns should faciliate this deal. with Cleveland and whoever else. and get that facilitating type, young PG. Only one I can think of that comes close to that (who could be made available) . is Frank Ntilikina in NY. A young core to grow together and be good to compete in 2-3 years.