The Phoenix Suns have been heavily involved in the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes. The Suns have the assets that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for in exchange for their disgruntled All-Star. However, Phoenix has declared that they will not include Josh Jackson to any trade deals which has all but stalled the that would have sent Irving to the desert.

What the Suns offered for Kyrie Irving

According to Bleacher Report, the no less than 20 teams have reached out to the Cleveland Cavaliers to inquire about Kyrie Irving, with 6 teams allegedly making a trade offer.

While Irving has short-listed 4 teams that he reportedly wants to play for, the Cavs are still listening to offers from other teams. Among the teams that have reportedly sent a trade offer for Irving is the Phoenix Suns.

As mentioned above, the Phoenix Suns is a team stacked with assets, having a number of first-round picks still on rookie contracts, and a number of borderline All-Stars. According to NBA sources, the Cavaliers reportedly want a “veteran starter, a blue chipper on a rookie contract, and a first-round pick” in exchange for Kyrie Irving.

The Suns have allegedly offered Eric Bledsoe, T.J. Warren and a 2018 first-round pick from Miami for Kyrie Irving. However, the Cavaliers are said to be interested in Josh Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, instead of Warren.

SB Nation, citing a league source with knowledge of the negotiations, suggests that if the Suns gave up Jackson, Kyrie would be wearing the Suns’ orange and purple by now.

Should the Suns move on from and forget about Kyrie Irving?

While Phoenix has languished near the bottom of the Western Conference in the last few NBA seasons, it doesn’t mean that they would just give up valuable assets in exchange for a bonafide Superstar.

And while most Suns fans would want their team to trade for Irving no matter what the cost (so would most NBA fans if it’s their own teams involved), the Suns' management have set a timeline that could possibly bring the proud franchise back to prominence.

And this timetable doesn’t include trading their assets for a possible 2-year rental just to acquire a legitimate star.

Phoenix can take a leaf out of the Golden State Warriors' book and try to emulate what the Dubs have done in creating a championship team from the ground up.

Phoenix has a good mix of talented young and old-reliable players. If the Suns decide to stay put and forget about trading for Kyrie Irving, Phoenix would still have a lineup that can compete in the uber-tough Western Conference.

Eric Bledsoe, the Suns' current point guard and team captain, have steadily improved over the years and averaged 21.1 points and 6.3 assists per game last season, both career highs. 20-year-old Devin Booker averaged 22.1 points and 3.2 assists per game in the 2016-2017 season, his second in the NBA.

The combination of Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, T.J.

Warren, and Josh Jackson gives the Suns a lot of options up front since these young guns are quick, athletic, long, and have outside jumpers. Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley are respected veterans and command a serious voice in the locker room.

The Suns also got flashes of brilliance from backup point guard Tyler Ulis who would probably see his minutes go up this season with Brandon Knight possibly out for the year. Phoenix also has serviceable bench players including Alan Williams and his limitless energy and even swingman Derrick Jones Jr. Alex Len can hold his own against the NBA’s best centers when he is healthy.

Needless to say that the Phoenix Suns is a team built with the future in mind.

And if they forego any Kyrie Irving trade, this Phoenix Suns team could very well become the NBA team to beat in the years to come. However, if the Suns can get Kyrie Irving without losing any of its key assets, then Phoenix’s rise to prominence would probably come quicker. The future is bright for the Phoenix Suns, with or without Kyrie Irving.