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azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Jay Dieffenbach have different opinions on including Josh Jackson in a deal for Cavaliers’ star Kyrie Irving. They share their thoughts in our Shot Clock video.
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Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach talk Phoenix Suns trade rumors and Cardinals camp in our Shot Clock video.
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Suns’ Robert Sarver discusses his team’s arena situation during a press conference on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the NBA Summer League and the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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Suns guard Mike James on his high-quality performance in a summer-league loss to Memphis.
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Suns summer league coach Marlon Garnett talks about Phoenix’s first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson talks about the Suns’ first-round win in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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Suns forward Marquese Chriss talks about the Suns’ first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Sarah McLellan talk about the playoff odds for the Diamondbacks and the Suns as well as a big upcoming fight in our Shot Clock video.
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Phoenix Suns draft picks Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk about the NBA Summer League as the squad prepares to depart for Las Vegas.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Josh Jackson and the Suns and the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.
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Mark Faller and Dan Bickley discuss how the Suns handled free agency in a loaded West and the Diamondbacks’ options when it comes to rolling the dice on the trade market with the Dodgers in command of the West.
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Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson discusses Phoenix’s first summer league practice on Tuesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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Second-year Suns players Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss offer some insight into what the Suns’ expectations are heading into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas after practice on Tuesday. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss what the Suns might do when the NBA free agency period begins Friday night.
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Greg Moore discuss the Chris Paul trade and the fallout from Miguel Montero’s comments.
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Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and Josh Jackson discuss why the team’s No. 4 overall pick decided not to work out for the Celtics, who had the No. 3 pick.
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azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore questions Josh Jackson about his off-court legal issues.
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley, talk Suns pick Josh Jackson and NHL Dave Tippett being let go from the Arizona Coyotes.
Diana Payan/azcentral.com
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Josh Jackson brings athleticism and defense and Haller and Bordow talk fit and excitement from Talking Stick Arena.
Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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The Phoenix Suns selected Kansas SF Josh Jackson with the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the mental readiness of young athletes stepping into the NBA and an underrated player in Thursday’s NBA draft.
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Suns GM Ryan McDonough addresses trade rumors surrounding his team and the No. 4 NBA draft pick.
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Sarah McLellan and Dan Bickley talk Lakers and potential trades with the Suns involving Lonzo Ball, and which golfers to watch at the U.S. Open.
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Zach Collins, from Gonzaga, discusses his performance in the Suns’ pre-draft workout, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Phoenix Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly describes Zach Collins’ pre-draft workout, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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The Cleveland Cavaliers needed an all-time performance to beat the Golden State Warriors and force a Game 5.
USA TODAY Sports
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Oregon’s Jordan Bell talks about his pre-draft workout with the Phoenix Suns, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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Phoenix Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly talks about his impressions of Jordan Bell from the pre-draft workouts, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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Phoenix Suns prospects do a three-minute run during a pre-NBA draft workout, with Oregon’s Jordan Bell leading the way, June 9, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Tim Kempton Jr., from Lehigh University, talks about his Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout, June 9, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Andrew White III talks about his pre-draft workout with the Suns, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly discusses Tim Kempton Jr. and Andrew White III during a pre-draft workout, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Scott Bordow discuss the upcoming NBA draft and the drama surrounding the Lakers’ pick. Could they pass on Lonzo Ball?
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James and the shaky status of Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin.
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Oregon’s Dillon Brooks discusses working out for the Phoenix Suns on June 7, 2017.
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Former Paradise Valley star Paul Watson talks about working out for the Phoenix Suns on June 7, 2017.
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Pat Connelly discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
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Kentucky’s Malik Monk discusses his fit with the Suns after his workout on June 6, 2017.
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Pat Connelly discusses Malik Monk’s shooting performance at the Kentucky guard’s workout on June 6, 2017.
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Watch Kentucky’s Malik Monk runs the -3 minute drill at the end of his workout with the Suns on June 6, 2017.
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Semi Ojeleye discusses the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Luke Kornet discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Kennedy Meeks discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Kobi Simmons, a guard from Arizona, talks during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Josh Hart, a guard from Villanova, talks about being part of the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Lonzo Ball skipping a Celtics workout and a dark-horse pick for the Suns at No. 4.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and JJ Hensley discuss the Suns draft as well as ‘The Bartender,’ the key reliever for the Diamondbacks.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss the NBA lottery and the ASU football quarterback situation.
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azcentral sports’ Doug Haller and Dan Bickley discuss Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, in which the Suns fell to the No. 4 overall pick, at Talking Stick Resort Arena. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough discusses the Suns earning the No. 4 overall selection in next month’s draft at the team’s NBA draft lottery party at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk NBA lottery picks and a team that might be eyeing the Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke.
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With a top-five pick and five players with star potential, the Suns are in a good place. But how has each selection shown success?
Wochit
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Suns star guard Devin Booker went to Navarrete Elementary School to surprise student Noah Smith with a trip to the NBA draft lottery in New York City on Friday. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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LaVar Ball won’t affect whether the Lakers select his son Lonzo in the upcoming NBA draft, Lakers president Magic Johnson told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Time_Sports
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Lonzo Ball’s signature shoes garnered a lot of attention when they were first released. But the sales numbers suggest the sneakers aren’t selling as well as the Big Baller Brand would like.
USA TODAY Sports
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As the Suns look to rebuild through the NBA draft, they are looking to Golden State and Oklahoma City as examples of how to do it right.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss how Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas has become one of the best players in the NBA and who the Suns want in the NBA draft.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk about the possibility of the NBA draft lottery is rigged and an updated on Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington on Friday. Diana Payan/azcentral
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Rockets’ explosion against the Spurs and a possible pitching implosion for the Diamondbacks.
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The Suns are guaranteed to have a Top 5 NBA draft pick. Here are some players they could take.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Kevin Durant and the Warriors as well as Zack Greinke’s start against the Padres.
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Several former Phoenix Suns players are in the NBA playoffs.
Wochit
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Take a look at the Suns players that have guaranteed contracts for next season.
Wochit
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Suns coach Earl Watson takes questions from the press at an end-of-season gathering at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Suns guard Devin Booker discusses the 2016-17 season and how his team can improve throughout the offseason on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Doug Haller sums up interviews with Phoenix Suns management and players at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Breaking down the top five moments in Suns guard Devin Booker’s season.
Wochit
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley disagree on the NBA MVP and share their thoughts on the D-Backs’ hot start.
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Suns guard Devin Booker discusses his 70-point game against the Boston Celtics.
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Shot Clock: Jackson included in Irving rumors
Shot Clock: Kyrie Irving to Suns?
Robert Sarver discusses Suns’ arena situation
Shot Clock: NBA Summer League taking toll?
Mike James on his 32-point performance in loss to Grizzlies
Summer Suns coach Marlon Garnett discusses Phoenix’s win
Josh Jackson on his increasing comfort
Marquese Chriss on Suns’ defensive effort
Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?
Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League
Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns
Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?
Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice
Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League
What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency
CP3 joins Harden; Miggy’s mouth misfires
Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?
Suns draft pick Josh Jackson on his off-court issues
Shot Clock: NBA hires and NHL fires
Doug Haller and Scott Bordow talk about Suns pick Josh Jackson
Phoenix Suns select Josh Jackson with No. 4 pick in NBA draft
Shot Clock: Searching for intangibles in NBA draft prospects
Ryan McDonough addresses trade rumors
Shot Clock: Lakers and Lonzo Ball proposal possibly fizzling out?
Gonzaga’s Zach Collins talks Suns workout
Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly describes Zach Collins’ workout
NBA Finals: Cavs avoid sweep with historic performance
Jordan Bell talks Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly talks Jordan Bell, pre-draft workouts
Phoenix Suns’ three-minute run workout
Tim Kempton Jr. at Suns workout
Andrew White III talks Suns pre-draft workout
Suns Assistant GM talks Tim Kempton Jr., Andrew White III
Shot Clock: Lakers thinking Josh Jackson?
Shot Clock: Nice shot, KD, but LeBron’s still best
Dillon Brooks breaks down his Suns workout
Paradise Valley’s Paul Watson on Suns workout
Suns Assistant GM breaks down Wednesday workout
Malik Monk breaks down his Suns workout
Suns assistant GM on Malik Monk’s workout
Malik Monk runs 3-minute drill at Suns workout
Semi Ojeleye, forward from SMU, on Suns’ workout
Luke Kornet, center from Vanderbilt, on Suns’ workout
Kennedy Meeks, center from North Carolina, on Suns’ workout
Kobi Simmons, guard from Arizona, during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Villanova’s Josh Hart at the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Shot Clock: Lonzo Ball can’t blame dad for this one
Shot Clock: Suns, don’t worry, take Josh Jackson
Shot Clock: Lottery therapy; ASU’s starting QB?
Doug Haller and Dan Bickley recap Suns’ misfortune in NBA draft lottery
Suns GM McDonough: ‘A little bit of disappointment’ but odds favored No. 4
Shot Clock: Suns fight AZ’s bad lottery luck
What can Suns expect with top-five pick?
Devin Booker surprises young fan with trip to NBA draft lottery
Lakers say LaVar Ball won’t influence decision on Lonzo
LaVar Ball’s shoe line has poor first week of sales
Suns look to emulate Warriors, Thunder in rebuild
Shot Clock: Ex-Suns player Isaiah Thomas shines
Shot Clock: Is the NBA draft lottery rigged?
Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?
NBA mock drafts: Popular picks for Phoenix Suns
Shot Clock: Kevin Durant closer to a ring
Familiar faces: Notable former Suns in NBA playoffs
Notable Suns player salaries for 2017-18
Suns coach Watson wraps up season at press conference
Devin Booker: ‘I want to be a winner’
Doug Haller wraps up Suns’ 2016-17 season
Top 5 Devin Booker moments of 2016-17 season
Shot Clock: NBA MVP and surprising D-Backs
Devin Booker on his 70-point night
There are lots of reasons why the Suns should trade for Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, and here’s hoping General Manager Ryan McDonough ignores any that would require giving up first-round pick Josh Jackson. (And even some that don’t.)
Yes, Irving is a generational offensive talent. The guy dribbles like a Globetrotter and makes more shots than a bartender.
And, yes, he’s a known commodity. Irving averaged 25 points per game last year. And he’s been to the Finals three seasons in a row.
But the Suns have a plan in place, focusing on development. Barring something transcendent, they need to stick to it. You don’t step over a dollar to pick up a dime. And once you make a thoughtful decision, you should see it through.
The Irving-to-Phoenix rumors kicked up over the weekend after azcentral’s Scott Bordow reported that Eric Bledsoe said he wanted to play for a winner. Since the Suns have made it clear that building for the future is the priority, rather than winning now, it added to a dust storm of circumstances that have enveloped the Valley in trade winds.
A brief recap: Irving hasn’t denied reports that he requested a trade. New Cavaliers GM Koby Altman and team owner Dan Gilbert called the situation “fluid” at a news conference Wednesday. Bledsoe and Cleveland superstar LeBron James are friends, and they’re expected to work out together in the coming weeks along with the King’s newest Cleveland teammate, Derrick Rose.
It all reminds me of a cliché I learned from a Detroit cop about 15 years ago: “A rumor isn’t a rumor if it doesn’t die.”
If the Suns can trade for Irving using Bledsoe, draft picks and a veteran guy like Tyson Chandler, then fine.
McDonough should even entertain the discussion if it involves Marquese Chriss, T.J. Warren or Dragan Bender. I say that knowing that “entertain” is some distance from “enact.”
But as soon as somebody asks for Jackson, McDonough should end the conversation. Such a trade would be bad for both the player and the team.
I’ve written that because of our similarities — roots in Detroit, connections in Kansas and careers in Phoenix — Jackson might as well be my cousin. As such, I want the best for him. The Suns owe it to him to help him develop as a ballplayer and as a man. That requires mentorship, accountability and stability.
They have mentorship in place with coach Earl Watson and the addition of James Jones in the front office.
Accountability will come with time, but he made first-team all-summer league and there have been no reports of off-the-court difficulties.
Stability means keeping him in place.
Jackson has moved from Detroit to northern California to Kansas and now to Phoenix in recent years. That’s not ideal, and an additional move to Cleveland wouldn’t help.
Each move requires an adjustment to personalities and expectations that can be draining.
Plus, the scrutiny in Cleveland would be far more intense. It would make more sense for Jackson to grow in an environment where the stakes aren’t as high.
As for the Suns, they’ve made an investment into making Devin Booker a star. By adding Irving, who reportedly wants to be the top dog on whatever team he’s traded to, McDonough potentially would be setting up an immediate rift.
Irving is a ball-dominant scorer. How would he mesh with Booker, who has a similar skillset, minus the flashy ballhandling?
And if Irving is willingly leaving a winning situation and then is pleased to end up on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in seven years, wouldn’t that be indicative of a selfish mentality that’s the antithesis of championship basketball?
Plus, with Booker and Irving on the court, they would need a guy like Jackson to hustle, get out on fast breaks and play defense. I don’t see those two working well without him.
Finally, the Suns have committed to a development plan, known online as the #timeline.
When team owner Robert Sarver announced McDonough’s contract extension recently, he said he should have agreed sooner to go along with his general manager’s desire to start over with younger players and build through the draft, using the Golden State Warriors as a model.
Adding Irving is a win-now move, not a future move. The best-case scenario, for this team in the short term even with Irving and Jackson, would be a playoff contender, not a potential champion.
Such an acquisition, especially without assurances that Irving would agree to a long-term contract extension, would be backtracking on the #timeline development plan only about a week after confirming it.
Irving is a top-tier star, for sure. Teams should always explore options to add such a player.
But top guys move around in the NBA all the time.
The Suns should wait, unless Cleveland signs up to get ripped off. This group needs more time to cook.
Sarver and McDonough have decided to be patient, so now they have to show the discipline required. Don’t risk long-term gains for short-term gratification.
BICKLEY: Suns need to accelerate timeline, acquire Kyrie Irving
MORE: Alan Williams appreciates new 3-year contract
Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him at twitter.com/WritingMoore.
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