Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to be in Cleveland as long as LeBron James is around, though that doesn’t mean he’s willing to commit long-term to another franchise should the Cavs trade him. According to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com, Irving, who has two years before he can become a free agent, wants to keep his options open for the summer of 2019. Pluto adds that the former No. 1 overall pick isn’t ready to commit to any team at this point.
While an extension with a new team was never a likely outcome for Irving, the latest news could potentially suppress his trade value. Any team giving up a haul to acquire the point guard would want him around long-term and without that assurance, teams may think twice about mortgaging their futures to bring in the Duke product.
Here’s more from Pluto’s piece on Irving:
- The Suns would be willing to deal Eric Bledsoe to the Cavaliers for Irving even if Irving makes no commitment to stay in Phoenix past his current deal. However, they would not want to include Josh Jackson in that scenario.
- The Cavs would love to take back Devin Booker in an Irving-to-the-Suns deal, but Phoenix is unlikely to trade Booker since it already told the shooting guard that he wasn’t going anywhere. Phoenix would like to send a package of Bledsoe, T.J. Warren, and Brandon Knight to the Cavs for Irving and additional salary (Iman Shumpert or Channing Frye). That proposal is underwhelming to Cleveland’s front office.
- The Nuggets remain a threat to trade for Irving, but Pluto hears that Denver will not give up both Jamal Murray and Gary Harris in a deal. Pluto adds that there are players on Denver’s roster who are attractive to Cleveland and because of that, the Nuggets could be involved in an Irving trade as a third team even if they don’t land the point guard themselves.
- If Andrew Wiggins signs an extension with the Wolves, it’s unlikely that he gets dealt to Cleveland, a source tells Pluto.
Well, as I have said before a Ben Simmons for Kyrie Irving trade makes a lot of sense to me
Alas though, no one wants to seem to want to do it.
Bc Simmons is an unproven commodity. Nobody has a clue as to what he’s capable of in the L.
I’d say fultz and okafor for kyrie seems more likely.
I still wouldn’t do it. Fultz will probably be a better defender and off ball player which fits better since Simmons will have most of the ball handling responsibility
Because it doesn’t make any type of sense for the Sixers.
I don’t see the Sixers trading any of their core – Embiid, Simmons, Fultz, and Saric.
No way PHX could get Irving w/o Booker or Jackson AND hope to dump Knight in the deal.
Huh? How is Brandon Knight involved in ANY Kyrie deal? He’s injured, and making 14M. Why would the Cavs take a player salary on that Is Not Going To Play??
Sending the Suns a piss test kit. Definitely doing drugs.
Denver should keep Harris. Murray, Faried, 2018 1st, and 2020 1st is all they should be willing to give up. I would say Wilson Chandler instead of Faried but Chandler is the only sf the Nuggets have
Irving is just trying to tank his own trade value at this point.
It’s a good move actually. Keeps his destination more competitive.
Cavs don’t have to trade him, he’s under control for 2 seasons, what is he going to do, sit out and not get paid?
Screw him. He’s under contract for two more years. Make him play with Bron for one more year, and then the team will be his. He can pout all he wants.
You and all the bandwagon Cavs fans will be the one pouting after LeBron leaves again.
Are you gonna cry when Lebron stays?
I would prefer he stay there in Cleveland, but we both know that won’t happen. The man is devoid of both honor and class.
Kyrie is really trying to f lebron over by pulling a paul George. I think the suns are high though if they think warren has any value. Brandon knights name coming up means they aren’t serious about getting Irving. Hard to see how to recoup the value especially of kyrie holds out and makes this a big deal. I think josh Jackson and Eric Bledsoe would be fair value for 2 years of kyrie a proven commodity. Jackson has a long way to go in development though, and may never pan out.
“f LeBron” says it all. He finally has a legitimate reason to cry about having no help now.
No Warren No Chriss No Booker No Jackson
Stop dreaming Cavs this ist Notbehelfe lottery.
Bledsoe Chandler and Miami pick 2018 ist more than enough.
LOL thanks for the laugh
I want some of whatever you’re on
Corleone is SO DELUSIONAL
If Irving gets traded to Phoenix, Booker nor Jackson will be part of that trade. It makes no sense for the Suns to give away their future for one player. Irving isn’t just effing James, he’s effing the Cavs as well.
Excellent dude !
Feel like the sun’s should stay the course. Dump Chandler and Knight if you can and add a Max next year if possible. Irving doesn’t put you into a contender, maybe fringe playoff if that in the west.
Enough with the Suns and their nonoffer of a package that would prove inadequate anyway. Denver is not making Harris available for Irving like they did for Love. Thankfully Minnesota is not offering wiggins; that does not resonate well. Melo has the Knicks & Rockets jammed up.
Best trading partners are the Bucks, Sixers, Clippers, Spurs, and later, Pelicans.
The Kyrie trade that makes to much sense the more I see it is Kyrie for Cousins. He’s a free agent at seasons end. So I can see 2 scenarios.
Trade Kyrie along with shumpert and TT or JR for Cousins.
Kyrie for cousins and future round picks. Then decide to keep the first round picks or trade for Carmelo.
Can Holliday be included in the deal if so that’s another scenario where you could do Kyrie for Cousins and Holliday
Cousins isn’t ideal but I can’t think of another star on expiring contract. Only way it works
Kyrie and his camp are not being very smart if these things are being leaked. I would just let him rot in Cleveland.
If Cleveland had an balls, they’d trade both of them and be done with it.