The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in trading Kyrie Irving to the Phoenix Suns for young shooting guard Devin Booker. Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com reported the Cavaliers’ interest in Booker but he added that the Suns consider the shooting guard as “untouchable” and will not be used for any trade, even for Irving. The 20-year-old Booker is five years younger than Irving but he has shown his knack for scoring in his second year, averaging 22.1 points per game in 78 outings last season. Booker amazed everyone when he scored 70 points, only the sixth player to do so in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor.
Suns also interested in trading for Irving
Pluto said the Suns might offer a trade package with injured point guard Brandon Knight, T.J. Warren and Eric Bledsoe for Irving. The deal may also include Iman Shumpert or Channing Frye as part of salary cap measures. However, the Cavaliers had little interest on that deal. The Cavaliers expressed interest in acquiring Bledsoe and No. 4 pick Josh Jackson but the Suns turned it down because they want to turn the rookie into a franchise cornerstone in the future. At some point, Pluto believes that the Suns will give up Jackson for Irving, especially if a third team comes along. If the Suns acquire Irving without giving up Jackson, the Suns will have a young core that also includes power forward Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.
Other option for Suns to land Irving
According to Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report, the Suns might look into the possibility of packaging Bender, Bledsoe and their 2018 first-round pick from the Miami Heat for Irving. Earlier, it was reported that the Cavaliers want a win-now veteran, a blue-chip young player and a top pick for Irving.
Bledsoe, despite being shut down for the remaining 16 games of the season, still averaged 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 66 games. Bledsoe will have no problem playing with James as they have the same agent. James and Bledsoe recently worked out in Las Vegas, fueling rumors that the latter could be headed to Cleveland.
The 7-foot-1 Bender was taken fourth overall by the Suns in 2016. The 19-year-old Croatian played just 43 games last season, averaging 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 13.3 minutes of play. Last season, the Suns used Bender as small forward but with the entry of the 6-foot-8 Jackson, the Croatian could be buried down the depth chart.
