Kyrie Irving Trade: Phoenix Suns refuse to include Josh Jackson in package

The Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers are currently engaging on a potential Kyrie Irving trade. The Suns are not willing to part with Kansas State forward Josh Jackson, who they drafted with the No. 4 overall pick during the 2017 NBA draft.

According to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, the Suns are reluctant to include either Jackson or Devin Booker as part of any offer to the Cavs for Irving. However, almost every other member of the Phoenix roster is available to be dealt. The Cavs are likely to ask for point guard Eric Bledsoe, who represents LeBron James’ agency Klutch Sports, besides a haul of future draft picks and young players.

Kyrie Irving Trade: Suns, Nuggets most aggressive suitors

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported Tuesday that the Suns and Denver Nuggets, two teams with sizeable assets to lure the Cavs into a Kyrie Irving trade, have been most aggressive in their pursuit of the superstar point guard. "Both teams offer an interesting set of options for the Cavs including veterans that could plug immediate needs and a cupboard full of rookie scale players that meet the upside need of the Cavs.

"A Suns deal would likely be built around guard Eric Bledsoe, who is part of James’ agency Klutch Sports. The Suns have a roster filled with promising young players, and they have a stable of future draft picks and plenty of room under the salary cap to absorb contract money," Kyler said in his podcast.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, Jackson could be the trade 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," Lowe wrote earlier in the week.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst corroborated Lowe's report on a Cleveland radio station. According to Windhorst, the Cavs are adamant that the Suns include Jackson in a package for Irving. Besides Bledsoe and Jackson, the Suns can offer the likes of Alex Len, T.J. Warren or Tyler Ulis without hurting their core of Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender.

It's worth noting that the Suns recently hired James Jones, a close friend of LeBron James, as their new Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Meanwhile, Irving has listed the Minnesota Timberwolves (reportedly his No. 1 preference), New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat as four preferred destinations. Despite Irvng's wish list, the Cavaliers front office would trade the guard to the team that offer the most assets. Kyrie Irving, a former No. 1 overall pick, averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his sixth season for the Cavs.