Why the Suns Should Acquire Kyrie Irving

It was only a few months ago that Kyrie Irving was considered the key to the success of the Cleveland Cavaliers. There was legitimate debate about whether he was better than Steph Curry. Now, Irving wants out of Cleveland, and the Suns are in a good position to trade for him.

The first stipulation in this scenario is that the Suns need to keep their young core. That means that Booker, Jackson, Chriss, and Bender should not be part of any deal made. If they are, the trade is no longer that great of an idea. However, the Suns should absolutely look to make a deal involving any other of their numerous assets.

A deal centered around Bledsoe, Warren, either Knight or Chandler, and one of or both of the team’s 1st round picks in 2018 could quite possibly be the best haul the Cavs can get for Irving. The deal wouldn’t damage the Suns’ future, and would open up a few of the logjams currently on the team.

There are several reasons why the Suns should absolutely look into acquiring Irving. For one, he is younger than Eric Bledsoe by two years and some change. Offensively, he’s a better shooter and shot creator than Bledsoe. Irving has won a championship and been in the playoffs multiple times, and he has proven that he is one of the more clutch players in the league. Teaming him up with Booker would provide the Suns with one of the most offensively deadly back courts in the league.

The Suns would effectively have two number one scorers on their team, both of whom could not only create their own shot, but create shots for others. Unlike when the Suns tried out two point guards at once, Booker is 6’7″, and hopefully as he improves on defense, will help the Suns hold their own against opposing backcourts.

As far as defense is concerned, the Suns have three average to above average defenders at both forward positions and the center. Furthermore, almost every contributor off the bench is a defensive-minded player as well.

The initial thought of Booker and Irving’s lack of defense is daunting, but look at it this way: the Portland Trail Blazers field an absolutely horrid defensive back court in Lillard and McCollum. Both score in boatloads, and are the main facets of the team’s offense. Yet the Blazers have made the playoffs four seasons in a row, ever since C.J. McCollum’s rookie year. The formula obviously works, but it’s also obvious Portland is still missing a piece or two. The Suns have players that have the potential to be those missing pieces.

If Booker develops into the superstar that the team believes he can, the Suns would have a guard combo to rival that of the Warriors. Josh Jackson is already better than any forward the Blazers have on their roster, as is Marquese Chriss, and both players have the potential to get much better than they already are. The only position still lacking for Phoenix is center, but it seems like the position is starting to fade in today’s NBA, as versatility becomes more and more important. With a young, athletic bench that are hounds on defense, the team could easily grow to be a top-three seed in the West within the next two to three years. By that time, Irving is right in the middle of his prime, and the Suns’ young core will be entering their’s.

Trading for Kyrie Irving helps the Suns both in the short-term and the long-term, as long as they don’t trade any of their “Big Four Core.” He is still under team control for two years, and he is immediately the best player and leader of the team. If Irving decides to leave in two years, the Suns still have plenty of assets to trade for another pointment guard, or sign one in free agency, or draft one or trade up to draft one. However, if the Suns continue to grow and start to blossom into the players everyone thinks they will, Irving would most likely stay and continue to be a part of the team.

Next: Why the Suns SHOULDN'T Pursue Kyrie Irving

With Kyrie Irving on the Phoenix Suns, the team will have two great scorers, multiple clutch shooters, playoff experience, and an offensive juggernaut brewing again in the Valley of the Suns. If Uncle Drew can be had at the right price, the Suns should do anything they can to bring him to Phoenix, as the face of the next great Phoenix Suns team.