With recent news hurting the trade value of Kyrie Irving it might be wise for the Phoenix Suns making a team friendly deal for the champion point guard.
In a recent article, Terry Pluto of cleveland.com explained that Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will not commit to any team that he could be traded to. It is well documented that the point guard wants to be traded from the Eastern Conference contenders. Now in the past, it has appeared the Cavs would want fourth overall pick Josh Jackson to be included in a deal with the Phoenix Suns based on the fact that Jackson was reassured he would not be traded. However, now with the lack of commitment from Irving this could make a trade easier for the Suns to execute. The Suns should take full advantage of Irving’s lack of commitment and get a team friendly deal for the All-Star point guard.
After messing around on ESPN NBA Trade Machine, this is best deal for the Suns.
The trade would have to throw in a lightly protected first round pick in next year’s draft. Possibly a top three or five protected pick would be required.
This trade is a great steal for the Suns. Phoenix gets a great scoring compliment to Devin Booker in Irving and a backup for Booker in Iman Shumpert. Obviously any deal to get Irving would involve Eric Bledsoe. Giving up a valuable leader in Jared Dudley will hurt but, it is necessary loss to gain Irving.
The Cavs still get a great point guard in Bledsoe and Dudley is a more versatile defender than Shumpert. On top of that Dudley adds more shooting than Shumpert ever could.
| Rk | Player | From | To | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Dudley | 2008 | 2017 | 24.0 | .468 | .397 | .519 | .550 | .732 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 8.3 |
| 2 | Iman Shumpert | 2012 | 2017 | 25.6 | .396 | .340 | .440 | .470 | .764 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 7.4 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/3/2017.
Getting another solid veteran that can spread the floor and defend can only make LeBron James happy. Overall, this is trade is fair for a player unwilling to commit to the team trading for him.
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Irving’s indecisiveness will allow this trade or a similar trade to happen so the Phoenix Suns will not have to give up any of their young core. The Suns will have to move on this opportunity if they want to capitalize on a trade.