NBA Trade Rumors: Kyrie Irving Almost Sent To Phoenix? Cavaliers, Pacers, Suns Discussed Deal

Kyrie Irving picked up his first win against LeBron James since being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night. The Boston Celtics defeated the point guard’s former team 102-88, extending their lead atop the Eastern Conference and furthering the notion that they have a real chance to reach the 2018 NBA Finals.

Irving was dealt to Boston in August weeks after he requested a trade, but the Cavs considered sending the former No.1 draft pick out west long before that trade was made. According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, Cleveland discussed a three-way deal in June that would have landed them Paul George from the Indiana Pacers and Eric Bledsoe from the Phoenix Suns. Irving and Channing Frye would've gone to Phoenix.

That was before Irving let Cavs owner Dan Gilbert know that he wanted to move on.

"They didn't want me there," Irving said, via ESPN.com.

The trade talks happened shortly after Cleveland lost to the Golden State Warriors in five games in the 2017 NBA Finals. The Pacers were openly trying to trade George, who made it known that he wouldn’t re-sign with the team when he became a free agent the following year. The Cavs pursued the small forward through multiple avenues, nearly acquiring him in a three-way deal with the Denver Nuggets that would’ve cost them Kevin Love.

A deal with the Suns was ultimately never struck because Phoenix was unwilling to part with No.4 overall draft pick Josh Jackson. The Pacers ended up sending George to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why the Cavaliers tried to deal Irving is a matter of debate.

Sources told ESPN that Irving became convinced that LeBron James played a role in the trade talks with Cleveland. James’ camp also represents Bledsoe, and there were rumors that a swap might happen later in the summer when Irving’s trade request became public. Bledsoe was ultimately dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks during the season.

There haven’t been any reports to support Irving’s belief that James' camp tried to orchestrate a deal. Team and league sources told ESPN that it was then-Cavs general manager David Griffin who decided to approach Phoenix because he sensed Irving might soon ask for a trade. The talks fell apart when Griffin left the team shortly afterward.

While Boston is reaping the benefits of the Irving trade, Cleveland has yet to do the same. Isaiah Thomas, the main asset that the Cavs acquired in return for Irving, has only played one game because of a hip injury. He didn’t suit up for Cleveland’s visit to Boston Wednesday.

Jae Crowder, who also went to the Cavaliers in the trade, is having his worst season in three years. Cleveland also received a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.