Appearing on TSN 1050 Radio in Toronto on Tuesday, Raptors GM Bobby Webster was asked if his club has called the Cavaliers about Kyrie Irving. As Josh Lewenberg of TSN tweets, Webster confirmed that the Raptors did reach out to Cleveland to inquire on Irving.
“Definitely. We all do our due diligence,” Webster said. “Things don’t always make sense, but if they do we’re always prepared. That’s a lot of talk that we do — that doesn’t really see the light of day, that happens behind closed doors. So we’re in touch with all the teams and obviously when a player like that becomes available you’d be remiss not to call.”
Webster, who was promoted earlier this summer to replace the departed Jeff Weltman as the Raptors’ new general manager, didn’t suggest that the Raptors’ talks with the Cavaliers went beyond the preliminary or exploratory stages, and I wouldn’t view Toronto as a likely landing spot for Irving.
Having re-signed both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to lucrative long-term contracts within the last 14 months, the Raps aren’t in a great position to upend their backcourt, and don’t have the sort of young star the Cavs are reportedly seeking. As Webster suggests, Toronto was probably just doing its due diligence, along with most other teams in the league — a previous report suggested that about 20 teams inquired on Irving.
As we heard earlier today, the Celtics, Nuggets, Suns, and Knicks continue to be viewed as the most viable trade partners for the Cavs, who have their eye on a young player with star potential on each of those clubs.
Boston would need to give up too much for Kyrie who’s the same exact player as Thomas, a backcourt of Irving and Booker in Phoenix would be too bad defensively to win and the Suns don’t want to give up Josh Jackson, and the Knicks have no assets since they’re not giving up Porzingis. Denver is the Cavs best trade option since they’re the only team which could give up an alright amount
He’s coming to Phoenix, and JJ will not be included in the deal.
Cleveland wants young players and I doubt they’ll take Bender or Warren over someone like Jamal Murray
Um Eric Bledsoe is no slouch. Cavs won’t get a better return than what Phoenix can offer.
I love Bledsoe. Only problem is that he’s already in his prime and Cavs are eyeing young players. A return of Faried, Murray, and 2018 and 2020 1st are better for the Cavs’ future than Bledsoe, Bender, and 2018 MIA 1st
You’re both right, Bledsoe is a great player to get back for the short term if you’re trading Kyrie, but they also want more. Which might not be realistic, but it’s smart for them to try to ask for as much as they can get.
Bledsoe has had 3 knee surgeries. He’s as bad as Derrick Rose. Plus a lot of his stats come from the fact he’s a #1 option on a terrible team.
I wouldn’t take Bender if they were giving him for free.
Kyrie will go to another team. Phoenix will once again win 25-30 games. No one will buy tickets. No one will buy jerseys and no one will care. Enjoy.
They will if JJ is not in the deal. Dragic and Winslow are a bigger draw than Bledsoe and Bender. Throw in Richardson and take back Shump and I can’t see how the Cavs would not be interested.
Winslow is a total wildcard. Unproven player with a nearly broken jumpshot
Dragic is old, and doesn’t fit the rising star that the Cavs is looking for. No trade with the Suns without JJ. I think the Cavs would take a hard look at a trade involving Murray and Harris. Other than that, I think he stays and they play it out.
Why, why, why would Kyrie and Lebron want to be in the western conference (not that Kyrie would have a choice if traded). Tell me who Lebron could join to beat GSW in the Western Conference finals. Seriously….who? And if a Western Conference team trades for Kyrie they are going to lose to much to seriously contend against SA, HOU and GSW.