Hey, Phoenix Suns! James Harden is the Reason Why You NEED to Trade for Kyrie Irving

In response to the Kyrie trade request, AS WELL AS the reports that Josh Jackson is untouchable in Phoenix…

Devin DeBoer
Jul 28, 2017 · 4 min read

Here we are, July 27, 2017. Chris Paul is in Houston, Paul George is in Oklahoma City, LeBron is bald, and it’s the age of the Big Baller. To keep the momentum going this NBA Offseason, Kyrie Irving apparently wants out of Cleveland. That’s right, three straight Finals, playing with the second greatest player of all time, a max deal with the team that drafted you at number one. But, everyone has already gone to war over whether he has the right to do so, if it’s LeBron’s fault, Dan Gilbert’s fault, God’s fault, what have you. But it’s time to focus on the next step, and turn our eyes to the Sun…

Kyrie Irving (Complex News)

Phoenix, you need to deal for Kyrie Irving, and James Harden is proof why. “Wuh?” Don’t argue, my friend, just enjoy the ride as we go back in time to 2012, the end of the world. James Harden is traded from OKC to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and a future first that became Steven Adams, and another first rounder, along with a second. Not a bad return, but James Harden is a Top-5 player in the Association, and a two time 2nd place MVP (Not bad fellas). Basically, Houston got Harden for thirty cents on the dollar. Daryl Morey spent every year Post-Yao/Tracy chasing a star, and hoping to cash in with role players and assets, and he finally nailed it, and quite well did he nail it.

Houston has enjoyed considerable success since then, not only in the regular season, but also in the playoffs, with multiple second round appearances as well as a Conference Finals, all thanks to Jeremy Lamb. Not only was success found ON the court, but Harden’s presence brought a lot of big names to Houston via free-agency. Dwight Howard bailed on Kobe and Nash to play with Harden (you can make anything sound crazy if you word it right, just don’t tell anyone else that those guys were a combined kazillion years old). Chris Paul left LA to play with him, Bosh aaallllllmmmoooost left Miami but Pat Riley hit the panic button harder than Amanda Nunes hit Ronda Rousey (old news?), and Carmelo seems to be on his way to Houston as well.

Phoenix is in the perfect position to turn fool’s gold into legit gold this summer, the same way Daryl “Stats Dork” Morey did in 2012. It’s time to go all-in and push for contention, and with a Kyrie trade, they are almost a lock to not be cringeworthy next year. A package including Eric Bledsoe, Josh Jackson, and next year’s unprotected first-rounder should be enough to buy Kyrie Irving from Cleveland.

Kyrie is worth much more than that. He’s a multiple time All-star and with the right pieces around him, maybe he could be just as talented as James Harden! He’s the best ball handler in the league, great in transition, AND the halfcourt, and is the best finisher around the rim this side of Y2K. Why not make a package, whether like the one aforementioned or a different one, that is enticing enough for Cleveland? Who knows if Josh Jackson will ever be good, or even that next year’s pick will be good!

2016 Rookies (Left to RIght): Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis, Dragan Bender (Sporting News)

The Suns have more young players than they know what to do with. Tyler Ulis, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Future Picks, Derrick Jones Jr., etc. That’s a list of enticing assets to sweeten any deal. Why else would Ryan McDounough stockpile so many young guys, unless either a) he was going to move them for a star, or b) he sucks at his job? Wait, don’t answer that.

Bledsoe would have to move for cap purposes, as well as keeping the roster balanced along the way. Bledsoe is a really good player, but you can’t depend on him for 82 games. Luckily, Cleveland is a dumpster fire so more than likely they’d overlook the fact that they play nearly 100 games each year, and may still have to depend on Jose “Literally Decaying” Calderon and Derrick “OH CRAP MY KNEEEEEEEES!” Rose anyway.

The Suns have been on the outside looking in for multiple years now. It’s time to make a move, and Kyrie Irving is the perfect player to move for. Cleveland is vulnerable, unstable, and ripe for the taking advantage of, and Phoenix is in the best position to do so.

Devin DeBoer

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Lover of ALL things NBA related… you will not regret wasting your time on my hot takes!

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