Kyrie Irving Trade: Cavs would agree to Josh Jackson, Eric Bledsoe package
The Cleveland Cavaliers would agree to terms on a proposed trade from Phoenix Suns that would send Kyrie Irving to the Western Conference team in exchange for point guard Eric Bledsoe, rookie wing Josh Jackson and a 2018 first-round pick from the Miami Heat. Though the Suns don't feature in Irving's list of preferred destinations, the Cavs are reportedly satisfied with the potential offer from Phoenix.
Contrary to earlier reports that the Suns would hesitate to trade Jackson, Cleveland.com insider Joe Vardon wrote Monday that the proposed deal would already be done if on the table. "If that deal (Bledsoe, Miami first rounder and Jackson) for Irving was there, it'd be done by now," a league source told Vardon.
It's worth noting that LeBron James recently trained with Bledsoe in Las Vegas. Also, James Jones, a close friend of James, is now the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns.
Kyrie Irving Trade: Josh Jackson can’t be moved before Aug. 4
Jackson, drafted fourth overall by the Suns in June, cannot be traded until after Aug. 4. "The deal would be agreed to, perhaps, but not officially done. As a rookie, Jackson cannot be traded for 30 days after signing his contract -- which he put his name to on July 3. That means the Suns couldn't deal Jackson to anyone until later this week," the report adds.
Besides Jackson and Bledsoe, Phoenix can offer the likes of T.J. Warren, Alex Len, Tyson Chandler or Tyler Ulis as fillers in the potential blockbuster trade.
For the Suns front office, the priority is to hold onto the young core of Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender. Several reports have confirmed that the Suns won't part with the Booker, who has been pencilled in as the team's next franchise-level superstar.
Last week, ESPN's Zach Lowe wrote that Josh Jackson could be the crucial chip that closes the Kyrie Irving trade. "Josh Jackson could be the swing piece after Phoenix and Cleveland indeed talked around the draft about a swap involving the No. 4 pick, but the Suns were thrilled Jackson landed there. If the Suns relent on Jackson, Cleveland and Phoenix might be able to work a simple two-team deal."
Though Irving listed the New York Knicks (reportedly his No. 1 preference), Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat in his wish list of landing spots, the young Suns could prove to be a nice fit for the Cavs star. Many believe that a backcourt of Irving and Booker could challenge the Splash Brothers' dominance in the Western Conference. Irving, a former No. 1 overall pick, averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his sixth season in Cleveland. He is expected to be moved before the new NBA season.
