The Cleveland Cavaliers are willing to trade Kyrie Irving if that’s what he wanted to happen. The only problem is - they cannot seem to find the right replacement via trade.
Not unless if the Golden State Warriors are willing to swap Stephen Curry. Or possibly, if the Houston Rockets will let James Harden team up with LeBron James. Perhaps if the Oklahoma City Thunder will send Russell Westbrook to Cleveland, the trade will happen.
The list of top NBA point guards goes on - John Wall, Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas, Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, or Kemba Walker.
If their respective mother teams are willing to trade their NBA superstars for Kyrie, then the trade will happen in an instant. But that’s not the case right now.
Equal, better, or none
According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is willing to give in to Kyrie’s request for a trade. However, this will only happen if they get the same value, the same level of skills Kyrie has, or even better.
If the Cleveland Cavaliers will let Kyrie go, they want someone who can do what Kyrie can do. He must not only be a good ball handler – he must be fearless; he must be willing to take control when the game is on the line and not only he’s willing to take big shots, he must make them.
Obviously, there’s no one from Kyrie’s preferred destination offers the same intensity, not from the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat, the Minnesota Timberwolves, or even the San Antonio Spurs. Interestingly, the Phoenix Suns, one of the teams who submitted serious proposals to get Kyrie Irving, may have someone to offer: Eric Bledsoe.
Eric Bledsoe for Kyrie Irving
The Suns’ 6’1” point guard’s name may not be mentioned in the same breath as Russell, Steph, James, or even Kyrie. But the numbers Eric posted last season is enough to convince sports portal HoopsHype to pick him at #12 on its list of top 30 point guards for this coming 2017-18 NBA season.
At 27-year old, Eric Bledsoe is enjoying the prime of his career.
He’s seven years older than Devin Booker and Josh Jackson - considered to be the future of the Phoenix franchise. He may no longer have the legs once these two reach their prime. Eric’s time is now and timing to trade him for Kyrie means a step closer to reaching every player’s goal - a championship trophy and a ring.
Eric’s tenacity and aggressiveness may not be comparable to that of Kyrie’s but he is the closest the Cavaliers can have. Plus, he’s not the only piece they’ll get - the Phoenix Suns is willing to package Dragan Bender and a future draft pick along with Eric Bledsoe for Kyrie Irving. Not bad, not bad at all.
