PHOENIX SUNS

Report: Suns’ Bledsoe, No. 4 pick included in Cavs’ trade talks for George

Jul 23, 2017, 10:15 AM | Updated: 3:45 pm

(AP photos)...

(AP photos)

(AP photos)

LISTEN: Empire of the Suns

In a report on ESPN.com on the saga surrounding Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving and his reported trade request, the Phoenix Suns were featured in a section going over reported Paul George trade talks.

In the days leading up to the draft, sources said, the Cavs had talks with the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz as they looked for a way to get George. The most serious of those conversations involved the Suns and a package including the No. 4 overall pick and Eric Bledsoe. The Jazz had expressed interest in Irving for the past few years, but sources said those discussions never got that serious.

The details are fuzzy. The report does not directly state what the Suns were receiving in those talks or who shut down the proposals before they progressed any further, but the report earlier states that Irving was included in some of the Cavaliers’ proposals for Jimmy Butler or George.

What followed was a whirlwind, with the Cavs putting forth a series of trade packages looking to acquire either Butler or George. Some of these talks included Irving, which upset him even more when he found out about it, sources said.

With the magnitude of the Suns giving up a top-5 pick and Bledsoe, one would have to assume the Suns were the team getting back Irving in the reported proposal, with Bledsoe headed to Cleveland to replace Irving and the No. 4 pick being the prime asset for Indiana to acquire for sending George to the Cavaliers.

That didn’t happen, of course. Now, George is in Oklahoma City, Bledsoe and Irving are still with their respective teams for now and Phoenix wound up selecting Kansas forward Josh Jackson with the fourth overall pick.

Bledsoe’s fit as a potential Irving replacement makes sense as ESPN’s Kevin Pelton noted earlier in the week.

It is not the first trade rumor for Bledsoe to be a part of and certainly won’t be his last.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

10 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Report: Suns’ Bledsoe, No. 4 pick included in Cavs’ trade talks for George