The Cleveland Cavaliers want LeBron James to commit to the franchise before building around him while he wants to see the team execute a plan before committing to them.

While Cleveland wants James to re-sign, they are fearful of making a Kyrie Irving trade that doesn't allow them to rebuild for the long-term.

The Cavaliers have become more fixated on acquiring a young star such as Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson or Jamal Murray in their trade inquiries involving Irving.

Cleveland is determined to get an elite young player back in return for Irving. If James was committed long-term, they could trade Irving for veterans.

Cleveland has been deliberate with the trade process and conversations could become more aggressive in September close to the start of camp.

Kyrie Irving is not prepared to commit to any team beyond his likely free agency in 2019.

The Phoenix Suns are a team that would be interested in trading for Irving but would like to know if he'd be willing to sign an extension. The Suns would be willing to trade Eric Bledsoe for Irving even without a commitment.

Irving is due $18.87 million in 17-18, $20.10 in 18-19 and $21.33 million in 19-20 (player option).

Irving has requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers but wants to keep his options open long-term.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns have interest in executing a Kyrie Irving trade.

Eric Bledsoe has been a consistent player included in discussions.

The Suns also own Miami's first-round pick, which is partially protected in 2018. The Cavaliers are also seeking the inclusion of Josh Jackson in a trade. Phoenix has ruled out the possibility of trading Devin Booker.

"If that deal (Bledsoe, Miami first rounder and Jackson) for Irving was there, it'd be done by now," a league source with knowledge of the Cavs' thinking said.

Jackson cannot be traded until after August 4th.

There were approximately 20 teams who made inquiries to the Cleveland Cavaliers upon learning of Kyrie Irving's trade requests but far fewer have delivered legitimate proposals.

The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Miami Heat have made offers to the Cavaliers for Irving.

The Cavaliers are seeking a package similar to what the Denver Nuggets received for Carmelo Anthony in 2011. Denver acquired a combination of young players, win-now veterans and draft picks. Rival teams are instead looking at what the Wolves gave up for Jimmy Butler.

Koby Altman is taking a measured approach to negotiations.

"I'll say this about [Altman]," one rival GM interested in Irving told ESPN. "He isn't overwhelmed. He's showing real poise."

Derrick Rose has been invited by LeBron James for workouts in Las Vegas this week.

James has spent the past few days vacationing and working out in Las Vegas.

Rose agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers this week.

Eric Bledsoe is also working out with James in Las Vegas. Bledsoe has been linked to the Cavaliers in Kyrie Irving trade talks.

Brandon Knight has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and could miss the entire 17-18 season.

Knight has three years remaining on his contract at $13.6 million, $14.6 million and $15.6 million. Knight agreed upon a five-year, $70 million deal with the Suns in the 2015 offseason.

The Suns traded a future first round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers for Knight in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in February of 2015. The Lakers' pick has become unprotected and will be conveyed to either the 76ers or Boston Celtics this season.

Eric Bledsoe doesn't fit in with the Phoenix Suns' current timeline of contention as they pivot towards a rebuild around Devin Booker and Josh Jackson.

“I love everything about it,” said Bledsoe of Phoenix. “At the same time I want to win.”

Bledsoe said he “definitely feels” like an old man among his teammates.

Bledsoe was asked for what he thought about the Suns' offseason.

“We got Josh Jackson. James Jones (in the front office). But for the most part, I don’t care,” he said. “Whatever team we have at training I’m going to play my heart out for. I just control what I can control. Getting better every time I step onto the floor.”

Bledsoe said the player movement in the offseason has been “more fun than the Finals.”

Bledsoe expects it to continue.

“It’s not over.”

The Phoenix Suns announced today they have agreed to a multiyear contract extension with General Manager Ryan McDonough and added former Suns forward and 14-year NBA veteran James Jones as Vice President of Basketball Operations. Jones will report to McDonough and work alongside him to oversee all basketball-related matters for the Suns, including the draft, free agency and trades.

“I would like to thank [Managing Partner] Robert [Sarver] and his partners for extending my agreement with this great franchise,” said McDonough. “We have laid the foundation for what we hope will become the next championship caliber Suns team. There is still a lot of work to be done to reach our ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Phoenix so we are thrilled to add James Jones to our staff.”

“James has a wealth of experiences that will greatly benefit our organization. He is a three-time NBA Champion and has been one of the top executives with the National Basketball Players Association over the past few years. We welcome ‘Champ’ and his family to our Phoenix Suns family.”

McDonough, entering his fifth season as the team’s general manager, has overseen the Suns assemble some of the game’s brightest young stars with five first-round picks made in his tenure currently on the roster.

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to re-sign Alan Williams on a three-year, $17 million contract.

Williams averaged 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game last season for the Suns.

Williams went undrafted out of UC Santa Barbara in 2015. After playing one season in China, Williams signed a two-year deal with the Suns in March 2016.

Robert Sarver proposed seeding teams 1-16 for the playoffs by record regardless of conference three seasons ago. Mark Cuban pitched a temporary realignment plan.

"The commissioner's office was not interested," Sarver emailed ESPN this week. "The Eastern teams don't like it."

The league has argued that schedule imbalance and over-long travel make a 1-16 system problematic.

"It needs to be addressed," Cuban emailed ESPN on Thursday. "Seven of the 10 smallest markets are in the West. I really believe Eastern teams know they can get by doing less, and [in some cases] make the playoffs. Because they are larger markets, they will sell tickets and advertising, and get viewers. They get the best of both worlds."