Phx-Suns.Net

The big picture is much more important for the Suns than any short-term concerns, though. Irving has two years left on his current contract (with a player option for 2019-20), he could end up as a very expensive rental. It has been reported Irving's preferred destinations include San Antonio, New York, Miami and Minnesota. Irving doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Cavs can hand him to the highest bidder, but the other 26 teams not on that list must realize there's a strong chance Irving plays out the deal and then walks.

Imagine how the Suns would look if Irving bailed on that player option after two seasons. A star player is gone, a valuable first-round pick is gone and a potential franchise cornerstone is shining next to LeBron. That last possibility is the one that would really haunt Phoenix.

Jackson is the exact type of player NBA scouts salivate over. He's a long, athletic wing with a high capacity to grow on offense as well as versatility and switchability on defense. He showed promise in Summer League, averaging 17.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in five games. While there are questions about his shot mechanics (42.5 percent from the field in those Summer League games), his skill, motor and impact in his one year at Kansas can't be ignored, particularly on the defensive end. He even stacks up well against 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green coming out of college.

Superbone wrote:

Cap wrote:This isn't a time for investing heavily in the next two years. This is a time for investing in the long term. It's not like Kyrie is an MVP candidate, or the missing piece that's going to make a championship contender, or even a playoff contender. He's not even a lock to make the All-Star team in the West. How much do you really want to invest in the chance that maybe we'll have the opportunity to re-sign this marginal All-Star for $35M/yr?

This is a GREAT point! Well done. That sums up the situation in a nutshell.

Shabazz wrote:

Superbone wrote:

Cap wrote:This isn't a time for investing heavily in the next two years. This is a time for investing in the long term. It's not like Kyrie is an MVP candidate, or the missing piece that's going to make a championship contender, or even a playoff contender. He's not even a lock to make the All-Star team in the West. How much do you really want to invest in the chance that maybe we'll have the opportunity to re-sign this marginal All-Star for $35M/yr?

This is a GREAT point! Well done. That sums up the situation in a nutshell.

Kyrie is really, really, really good. No one on this board is saying he's THE missing piece. But maybe he's A missing piece.

There is no "one missing piece.' And there is no "perfect superstar." There are like 4 of those guys in the league and none are available.

Cap wrote:How are we going to look as a FA destination if our PG forced his way out of Cleveland because he didn't want to share the spotlight with LeBron James? I imagine anyone with the potential to outshine him would think twice about teaming up with him.

Cap wrote:This isn't a time for investing heavily in the next two years. This is a time for investing in the long term. It's not like Kyrie is an MVP candidate, or the missing piece that's going to make a championship contender, or even a playoff contender. He's not even a lock to make the All-Star team in the West. How much do you really want to invest in the chance that maybe we'll have the opportunity to re-sign this marginal All-Star for $35M/yr?

Shabazz wrote:I feel like there are 3 camps on this board:

A. Willing to trade premium assets (Josh Jackson and/or our own pick) for Kyrie
B. Willing to trade for Kyrie if the price is right (some combination of Warren/Chriss/Bender/Miami pick)
C. Unwilling to trade for Kyrie regardless of cost

I'm in camp B as it seems like most people are. I'm arguing against camp C.

Shabazz wrote:I feel like there are 3 camps on this board:

A. Willing to trade premium assets (Josh Jackson and/or our own pick) for Kyrie
B. Willing to trade for Kyrie if the price is right (some combination of Warren/Chriss/Bender/Miami pick)
C. Unwilling to trade for Kyrie regardless of cost

I'm in camp B as it seems like most people are. I'm arguing against camp C.

Cap wrote:If we make this trade, who's more likely to be an All-Star next year: Bledsoe in the East, or Kyrie in the West?

In2ition wrote:I've learned something about Cleveland over this whole thing.
1. It's a great sports town, very passionate.
2. They are thin skinned and easily insulted.
3. They are a bit delusional and just dumb.

I had a guy try to tell me on twitter that they would rather not trade Kyrie if they aren't going to get what they want and just trade him next summer when they get better offers. I told him that's a bit of a stretch, as he said he doesn't want to be there, the King doesn't want him there, they are beholden to what the King wants, the media outlets are already putting out, "You're either with us or your against us" promos and jersey burning parties, the King wants Bledsoe, Kyrie will only have 1 year left on his deal next year, he's already said that he's not committing to any team that trades for him, Melo said he doesn't want to go to Cleveland and will only give up his no trade clause for a trade to Houston, and all the main teams in this trade are telling Cleveland that their best assets are off the negotiating table. Good luck getting a better deal next year.

Danimal wrote:

In2ition wrote:I've learned something about Cleveland over this whole thing.
1. It's a great sports town, very passionate.
2. They are thin skinned and easily insulted.
3. They are a bit delusional and just dumb.

I had a guy try to tell me on twitter that they would rather not trade Kyrie if they aren't going to get what they want and just trade him next summer when they get better offers. I told him that's a bit of a stretch, as he said he doesn't want to be there, the King doesn't want him there, they are beholden to what the King wants, the media outlets are already putting out, "You're either with us or your against us" promos and jersey burning parties, the King wants Bledsoe, Kyrie will only have 1 year left on his deal next year, he's already said that he's not committing to any team that trades for him, Melo said he doesn't want to go to Cleveland and will only give up his no trade clause for a trade to Houston, and all the main teams in this trade are telling Cleveland that their best assets are off the negotiating table. Good luck getting a better deal next year.

I feel the longer this drags out the more a team desperate to make the playoffs like Denver or the Wolves will probably overpay. So the longer it drags out the less chance he has of being a Sun. Just an opinion though

O_Gardino wrote:

Shabazz wrote:I feel like there are 3 camps on this board:

A. Willing to trade premium assets (Josh Jackson and/or our own pick) for Kyrie
B. Willing to trade for Kyrie if the price is right (some combination of Warren/Chriss/Bender/Miami pick)
C. Unwilling to trade for Kyrie regardless of cost

I'm in camp B as it seems like most people are. I'm arguing against camp C.

Thanks for the nice synopses. I thought you were in Camp A.

I'm half way between Camp B and Camp C. I just really want all the draft picks right now. I feel like we have a good shot at getting a stud anywhere in the lottery next year. If it was Bled + Warren + Chriss, I would do it in a heartbeat.

If veteran reporter Terry Pluto of the Plain-Dealer is to be believed, the Cleveland Cavaliers got some bad news about Kyrie Irving: He’s not going to sign an extension with the Suns – and maybe not anywhere – because he wants to keep his options open.

That sound you just heard was executives all around the league hanging up on the Cavs.

But, Irving supposedly won’t commit to an extension with “any team” at this point, meaning any team that trades for him has to be a serious contender, because that’s the only shot you’ve got of keeping him. The Suns absolutely should not part with Josh Jackson to rent Kyrie Irving.

Shabazz wrote:I feel like there are 3 camps on this board:

A. Willing to trade premium assets (Josh Jackson and/or our own pick) for Kyrie
B. Willing to trade for Kyrie if the price is right (some combination of Warren/Chriss/Bender/Miami pick)
C. Unwilling to trade for Kyrie regardless of cost

I'm in camp B as it seems like most people are. I'm arguing against camp C.