5 reasons the Cavaliers should take the Suns’ latest offer for Kyrie Irving

3. The Cavs (probably) aren’t getting Josh Jackson

Through every part of this saga, there has been no indication out of Phoenix that they would be willing to part with Josh Jackson in a trade for Irving. He is the player they targeted early on in the draft process, the player who fell into their laps like a blessing, the player about whom they’re raving already. His Summer League was evidence of great potential, and made it clear why he was so coveted around the Draft.

Throughout June, after it became clear that the top three would be Fultz, Ball and Tatum, seemingly every team in the league called Phoenix about the fourth pick. Jackson was as high as No. 2 on big boards throughout the college season, and was the most tailor-made modern NBA player in this year’s draft class. He is the young wing that LeBron has long coveted but never played with.

However, Phoenix has never once swayed on their belief that Jackson is untouchable. Soon after Irving became available, reports came out from Arizona Sports and elsewhere that Phoenix could have already landed Irving if they had been willing to include Jackson in an offer. This is in line with the rhetoric coming from the Suns all summer, evidenced most clearly in their decision to extend Ryan McDonough, hire James Jones and buy fully into their from-the-ground rebuild.

Jackson is the next (and one of the biggest) parts of that rebuild, a willing defender and passer who before playing a single minute already appears to be the glue that can hold this whole group together. He’s turning heads in the Valley, the first well-known renowned college player to be drafted into the Suns program. After speaking so loudly about patience, McDonough and Suns owner Robert Sarver would look silly cashing in now.