NBA Trade Rumors: Cavs would deal Kyrie Irving to Phoenix for Eric Bledsoe, Josh Jackson

For now at least, you can take the Phoenix Suns out of the running for Kyrie Irving.

According to Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon, the Cavs would deal Irving for Eric Bledsoe, rookie Josh Jackson and the Miami Heat’s 2018 first round pick, which the Suns own. But the Suns do not want to trade Jackson, per Vardon, and have told Devin Booker they won’t deal him. And for the Suns to get Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers, it’ll take one of the two. From Vardon’s report:

Cleveland also wants Josh Jackson, a 6-8 rookie drafted fourth overall by the Suns in June. Phoenix reportedly doesn't want to trade Jackson, and a source said the Suns told Devin Booker he would not be traded -- which would seem to put a serious hamper in this potential trade.

"If that deal (Bledsoe, Miami first rounder and Jackson) for Irving was there, it'd be done by now," a league source with knowledge of the Cavs' thinking told cleveland.com.

What could change the Suns’ hesitation to include Jackson — who LeBron James reportedly reach out about — is another team offering a package that trumps Bledsoe and a pick. And, on paper, it seems that the Heat’s reported willingness to deal Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow would match the Suns’ offer.

This is also why the Cavs should take their team with these negotiations There’s no rush to deal Irving and setting an artificial deadline will only lessen Cleveland’s leverage. Maybe, it time, the Suns will relent on Jackson. If they do, it could be the best possible offer for the Cavs and gets them everything they seek in return for Irving.