Ring Around the Kyrie

Pros and Cons for where exactly Kyrie Irving should continue to play basketball

The basketball world stop spinning for a moment as reports surfaced that Kyrie Irving wants out of Cleveland. As reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Irving is demanding a trade from the Eastern Conference Champs who have had a “interesting” offseason to say the least.

Irving’s desire comes at a strange time, as most of the moves in the offseason have already been cemented. Reasons for why Irving wants to leave the Cavs have ranged from his dislike of Lebron James, to his desire to become the “leader of a team”. Issues such as this have cause other superstar tandems to disband in the prime of their careers. Either way Irving has reportedly informed the Cavs of his “wishlist” of teams he would like to play for. The Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks make the cut of teams Irving wants to go to. While Cleveland is under no obligation to trade Irving to any of these teams, let’s dive into the pros and cons for Irving landing with one of these four teams.

Minnesota Timberwolves

By using the NBA trade machine a trade for the Timberwolves could land Irving in Minnesota; however it would require the Minnesota to part ways with one of their young stars.

Pro: For Irving this would united him with Jimmy Butler, whom has said on the recorded that him and Irving are good friends and play in “off the record” pick up games. It’s reported that Irving requested a trade to the Bulls in order to play along side Butler before the NBA draft. This deal would give the Timberwolves their most dynamic point guard since the days of Stephon Marbury in the early ’00s. Now since Minnesota would have to trade Andrew Wiggins to make this work, they would potentially need to make a second trade in order to receive his replacement (though they could resign Shabazz Muhammad). A core of Irving-Butler-Towns could be enough for the team to reach the 50 wins-mark and a playoff berth.

Cons: What’s really the upside for the wolves to make this trade. Experts believe that the trade of Butler already makes the Wolves one of the top teams in the western conference. While the prospect of Jeff Teague going against the Game of Throne style of points guards in the west, doesn’t boyd well for Timberwolves fans, losing Wiggin’s is too high of a price. Also can Irving commit to defense in the way coach Tom Thibodeau expects from his players.

San Antonio Spurs

Sparking up the trade machine for the San Antonio Spurs would involve a three team trade to have Irving end up in the black and sliver. The trade would land Irving in San Antonio, ship LaMarcus Aldridge-and his pouting-off to the Denver Nuggets, and have the Cleveland Cavaliers receive Gary Harris, an expiring contact in Will Barton, and a rebound machine in Kenneth Faried.

Pro: This trade seems to make sense for all parties involved. Irving can be the point guard that the Spurs desperately need to complete the post-Duncan-Parker-Ginobili era. The Spurs send Aldridge to the Nuggets to have a huge front line with Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokić. The Cavs would then receive a shooter in Gary Harris (shoot 42% from three last season), a wing defender in Will Barton (ranking in the 97 percentile in individual defense), and Kenneth Faried, who rebounding skills speak for themselves.

Con: Irving’s lack of defense could be covered by first team and second team All-NBA players in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green respectively. But Irving ball dominance could effect the way the Spurs like the run their offense. Irving averaged 4.71 dribbles per touch, 4.85 seconds per touch, and 6.7 time of possession per nba.com stats. Those numbers trump projected starter Patty Mills number 4.26/3.71/3.2. Can Irving fit into Gregg Popovich passing system that requires constant movement around the court. Irving would have to completely buy into Pop’s culture to be successful.

Miami Heat:

This trade would allow Irving to pair up with rising big man Hassan Whiteside, but who will have to sacrifice starting point guard Goran Dragic and Justin Winslow.

Pros: For starts Irving is simply a better player the Dragic is at this point in their careers. Irving can give Miami the scoring punch they need in order to make it back to the postseason. Irving’s ability to finish around the rim could allow for Whiteside to lead the league in dunks from all the traffic Irving will draw. Irving would also love the lifestyle of living in Miami with the beautiful weather and zero state tax.

Cons: Well the issue of Irving playing along side Dion Waiters would have to be addressed, both on and off the court. Since Waiters has been crown the king of Miami, it doesn’t seem he would be willing to take a back seat to Irving once again in Miami. Their personalities just don’t seem to gel enough to create a winning environment.

New York Knicks

Questions on why exactly would Irving want to play for the Knicks, other then it’s close to his hometown of West Orange, NJ. The trade would send Irving to MSG with the Channing Frye along with him. Cleveland would receive a bananas-boat buddy in Carmelo Anthony and Phoenix Sun’s point guard Eric Bledsoe. While the Suns would take on Tristan Thompson and Richard Jefferson for their troubles.

Pro: The Knicks would obtained the most dynamic point guard for their franchise since Walt “Clyde” Frazier. A tandem of Kristaps Porzingis and Irving could rival that of a young Shaq and Kobe. The media epicenter would make Irving their darling as he could raise his brand to heights the likes of the skyscrapers that surround him. A core of Irving-Hardaway Jr-Porzingis should not only compete for a playoff spot, but be a top-4 seed in a water-downed eastern conference. This trade would also free the Knicks from the hit television drama, Carmelo Anthony, returning for another season. Irving has the mentality to take on what New York offers. HE CHALLENGED KOBE AS A ROOKIE.

Con: Yes having a dynamic point is something that the Knicks have lacked for decades; however, is Irving the right point guard to purse. While Irving is a point guard by NBA rules, he doesn’t actually play the position anymore. He is more of a scorer, who allowed James to be the primary distributor for the Cavs the last three seasons. Irving lack of defensive wouldn’t help out the Knicks who ranked 25th in defensive efficiency last season. Lastly it seems likely this trade wouldn’t happen. Would Melo be willing to go to Cleveland if that means he couldn’t play with Irving and have to play with Kevin Love? Are the Knicks willing to trade Porzingis for Irivng? That seems to defeat the message that new brain trust Steve Mills and Scott Perry have expressed.

At the end of the day it is the Cavs choice on where to send Kyrie, but it is up to Kyrie to decide what he wants his NBA legacy to look like.