Report: Suns, Timberwolves 'strong candidates' to land Irving
Kyrie Irving could get his way.
The All-Star point guard reportedly requested the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade him last month, naming his preferred destinations as the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat.
It's believed the Cavaliers have been engaging in trade talks involving the 25-year-old and, according to a league source of the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, the Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns are "among particularly strong candidates to pull off a trade for Irving."
Cleveland is looking to net a haul that includes a blue-chip young stud, future draft picks, and a veteran or two who can help LeBron James take down the Golden State Warriors, per sources of ESPN's Zach Lowe.
The emerging star is the most important piece, and the T-Wolves can offer small forward Andrew Wiggins while the Suns could surrender point guard Eric Bledsoe, who shares an agent with James.
Related: Suns reportedly won't include rookie Jackson in package for Irving
Wiggins - who was drafted No. 1 overall in 2014 by the Cavs but never played for them - put up a career-high 23.6 points to go along with four rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a steal over all 82 games last season with the Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Bledsoe notched 21.1 points, 6.3 dimes, 4.8 boards, and 1.4 steals in his seventh campaign with Phoenix.
Related: Butler, Towns reportedly pushing for Irving to join Timberwolves
The Cavaliers reportedly think it's "almost inevitable" that the 2012 rookie of the year will be traded, and may have already picked up his replacement in Derrick Rose.
Jackson noted the Heat consider it a "long shot" for them to acquire Irving since they lack the assets the 2016 champs seek, with their best chance coming if Cleveland's discussions with other teams fall through.
While the Cavs can fulfill Irving's wish by sending him to one of the teams on his list, they're by no means bound to the request since the four-time All-Star lacks a no-trade clause in his contract. He's owed about $39 million over the two guaranteed years remaining on his deal with Cleveland.