Report: Suns reject Cavs offer, Cleveland hinting at worse offer

Let me catch you up to speed on the Phoenix Suns offseason in case you’ve been productive with your time by binge watching the HBO hit series Deadwood.

On June 22nd, the Phoenix Suns drafted Kansas forward Josh Jackson fourth overall. This was after Jackson decided Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge wasn’t worth his time. Yes, I will link back to this as many times as I can.

The third week of July it goes public that Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has reached the conclusion that rings notwithstanding, there’s more to life than living in Cleveland and working under LeBron James. He requests a trade.

Immediately potential suitors express their interest. One of those teams in the Suns.

Over the course of the next several days, it is revealed that Cleveland would do a deal with Phoenix that includes guard Eric Bledsoe, Jackson, and maybe draft pick depending on who you’re reading.

After having that report shoved down our throat for a few days trade flames were doused when we learned that Jackson would not be included in any trade talks. Jackson was thought by many to be the most important piece of this transaction. So it was reasonable to think the deal was dead.

But was it?

Reports that Cleveland was still interested in that potential deal with Phoenix, the exact same deal that is referenced above, persisted. Perhaps the Cavs are really that dumb. Perhaps McDonough is lying to us. Perhaps the media is lying to us. Perhaps we’re all lying to ourselves.

In what could be viewed as a final nail in the coffin, some are saying Irving will not be committing long-term to whichever team he is dealt to. He has two years remaining on his current contract.

So, that’s where we are today. To recap:

• Cleveland wants Josh Jackson
• Phoenix won’t move Josh Jackson
• Irving won’t commit to Phoenix

That’s it. We’re done, right? We’re not. The kidney stone that is a deal with the Cavs cannot be passed, and is getting worse.

This week we were treated to another report that the Cavs, perhaps coming to terms with the reality that they are not going to pry Jackson from Phoenix, would prefer another vital piece to #TheTimeline. Devin Booker.

Now, being slammed in the comment section below is especially hurtful. So in the interested of not being called Sensational Sam again, here is exactly what Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes:

“The Suns would be willing to trade Eric Bledsoe as part of a deal for Irving, even if Irving makes no commitment. But they would not want to include rookie Josh Jackson in that deal, assuming Irving keeps his options open. The Cavs would love shooting guard Devin Booker, but he is as close to untouchable as anyone on the Suns roster.”

Let me be clear. I know how unlikely it is that Booker is dealt. So why is his name even coming up? While we’re talking about things Cleveland likes but they can’t get, let’s throw in 1993 Charles Barkley and the ghost of Elliot Perry.

Elliot Perry is actually alive and doing well. There, you learned something.

I like how the Suns have handled themselves so far. I don’t like how rumors of a Cleveland robbery of Phoenix won’t die. Right now, I’m going to say the Cavs are a team in turmoil grasping at straws. This is the most substantial challenge LeBron James has faced as general manager. What can we expect from McDonough?

Just shut it down, Ryan.