Phx-Suns.Net

“Kyrie isn’t saying he’s better than LeBron and should be seen that way,” a close confidant of Irving’s told me. “He’s saying he’s not about to let LeBron ‘SON’ him … treating him like he’s the child and LeBron’s the father or big brother he’s supposed to look up to.

“Kyrie knows he’s a franchise-caliber talent. He wants to be treated like it. And he’s tired of hearing about what LeBron needs, and he’s damn sure tired of hearing LeBron sound like he always needs more. As if the crew they have isn’t enough.”

ShelC wrote:I get where Kyrie is coming from. I think it's less about the "shadow" and more about taking ownership of his career and not letting LeBron dictate things for him and the Cavs. There's always drama with LeBron and now all year it'll be "Is he staying or going? If he goes, where's he going to end up?" And it'll be Kyrie dealing with the questions, trying to play through it all, wondering himself what's going to happen and possibly being left with a marginal playoff team when LeBron goes. He's hedging his bets and doing it to LeBron before LeBron can do it to him. I think the Cavs had the ammo to make it more of a series this past June. I think Lue is kind of a joke who can't/won't coach LeBron. Still amazing to me that he hasn't gotten any flack (from what I've seen) over his coaching in the Finals.

SDC wrote:phoenix not gonna tank next season with kyrie, yes?

Cavaliers have asking price for Kyrie Irving

CLEVELAND -- The word is out around the NBA. The Cavaliers want a veteran starter, a blue chipper on a rookie contract, and a first-round pick for Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs are working diligently to make Irving happy (he wants to be traded) and get what they want for him in return. They've been in contact consistently with Irving's camp as they field calls and offers from interested suitors, trying to cultivate an offer that makes sense.

Among the scenarios under consideration, LeBron James worked out with a number of stars in Las Vegas this past week, among them Eric Bledsoe, the Phoenix Suns guard who's been linked to numerous rumors as a possible target in a trade for Irving.

Bledsoe is 27, never been an All-Star, and has endured three knee surgeries. But he is coming off the best of his seven seasons, averaging 21.1 points and 6.3 assists for the Suns and is a better defender than Irving (who has superior ball skills).

It's easy to brush off James' workouts with Bledsoe -- Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul were also there and James and Bledsoe share an agent -- but Bledsoe would fit one of the Cavs' requirements.

The Suns also own Miami's first-round pick, which is partially protected in 2018. That'd be the second box checked.

Cleveland also wants Josh Jackson, a 6-8 rookie drafted fourth overall by the Suns in June. Phoenix reportedly doesn't want to trade Jackson, and a source said the Suns told Devin Booker he would not be traded -- which would seem to put a serious hamper in this potential trade.

"If that deal (Bledsoe, Miami first rounder and Jackson) for Irving was there, it'd be done by now," a league source with knowledge of the Cavs' thinking told cleveland.com.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Latest summary of the state of the Irving trade talk. ESPN says many teams (20+?) have explored a trade for him, but that most don't have the right assets or won't put together an adequate package. Lots of teams are looking into everything about Irving, not only his play and his stats, but also things like, does he go out and party every night? etc.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2017 ... -value-him

iLLmatic wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Latest summary of the state of the Irving trade talk. ESPN says many teams (20+?) have explored a trade for him, but that most don't have the right assets or won't put together an adequate package. Lots of teams are looking into everything about Irving, not only his play and his stats, but also things like, does he go out and party every night? etc.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2017 ... -value-him

Nobody has, or wants to part with what Cleveland is asking. They're going to have to settle for less or deal with a malcontent come training camp.

iLLmatic wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Latest summary of the state of the Irving trade talk. ESPN says many teams (20+?) have explored a trade for him, but that most don't have the right assets or won't put together an adequate package. Lots of teams are looking into everything about Irving, not only his play and his stats, but also things like, does he go out and party every night? etc.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2017 ... -value-him

Nobody has, or wants to part with what Cleveland is asking. They're going to have to settle for less or deal with a malcontent come training camp.

JCSunsfan wrote:Its going to happen. We are going to land Kyrie. Its going to be something like Bledsoe, Chriss, and lightly protected Suns 2019 first rounder (top 5 maybe) for Kyrie. If that happens and Kyrie is actually OK with it, give McD another extension now.

If it comes down to a choice between Warren and Chriss, right now, I choose Warren.

In2ition wrote: Especially with that video that just came out.

carey wrote:

In2ition wrote: Especially with that video that just came out.

The one of Kyrie mocking the LeBron workout videos? Seems harmless but we all know James has Donald Trump skin, and I don't mean it's orange.

JCSunsfan wrote:Its going to happen. We are going to land Kyrie. Its going to be something like Bledsoe, Chriss, and lightly protected Suns 2019 first rounder (top 5 maybe) for Kyrie. If that happens and Kyrie is actually OK with it, give McD another extension now.

If it comes down to a choice between Warren and Chriss, right now, I choose Warren.

iLLmatic wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Latest summary of the state of the Irving trade talk. ESPN says many teams (20+?) have explored a trade for him, but that most don't have the right assets or won't put together an adequate package. Lots of teams are looking into everything about Irving, not only his play and his stats, but also things like, does he go out and party every night? etc.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2017 ... -value-him

Nobody has, or wants to part with what Cleveland is asking. They're going to have to settle for less or deal with a malcontent come training camp.

In2ition wrote:Have you guys seen the twitter crap that's come out recently? I've had to defend Booker from idiot national writers and trade assets from troll Spur and Cav fans.

carey wrote:

SDC wrote:phoenix not gonna tank next season with kyrie, yes?

Sure they will. He's not *that* much better than Bledsoe. May win us an extra handful of games. I'd be surprised if we pick out of the top 5 if we lose Bledsoe plus one of Warren/Chriss/Bender.