Where Will Kyrie Irving Go?
The NBA world was shocked when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving reportedly wants to be the focal point of a team rather than playing second fiddle alongside LeBron James in the pursuit of a championship. Irving told Cavaliers management that his preferred destinations are the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs. However, the Timberwolves and Heat likely don’t have enough assets or cap flexibility to acquire Irving. And if the Cavaliers get a better offer from a different team, they can easily pick that offer rather than an inferior one on his list- they have no obligation to trade him to a handpicked team. They could also decide to just keep him around, as he’s under contract for three more seasons. So, what are the realistic options for Kyrie Irving’s team next season?
New York Knicks
Given LeBron James’ friendship with Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, and the fact that the Knicks were on Irving’s list, this seems like a logical fit if the Knicks can put together a package that is appealing enough. Here is what they’d likely offer:
Knicks get: Kyrie Irving
Cavaliers get: Carmelo Anthony, Frank Ntilikina, 2018 unprotected first-round pick
The Cavs here would get a seasoned veteran, a rookie just picked in the top ten, and a first-round pick. Getting Ntilikina and the first-rounder help the Cavs in the long run, and Anthony would help make up for some scoring lost from Irving. However, if they want to try to maximize their chances to win the title with LeBron James seemingly one foot out the door, this wouldn’t be a smart move.
San Antonio Spurs
This would be a little tougher to pull off, as the Spurs would need a third team in the deal with young and promising players who are willing to move them for LaMarcus Aldridge. Here’s a possible three-teamer:
Spurs get: Kyrie Irving, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley
Suns get: LaMarcus Aldridge, Iman Shumpert
Cavaliers get: Danny Green, Kyle Anderson, Tyler Ulis, Dejounte Murray, 2018 Suns first-round pick, 2019 Spurs first-round pick
This one is much less likely because of all of the moving parts necessary to be in the deal, thus making it hard to find a combination of assets that everyone is in agreement upon. But in this deal, the Cavs look towards the future with a massive package of young players along with two future first-rounders. For San Antonio it’s a no-brainer, and the Suns seem to still be desperate for a player that they would label a “star”- even if Aldridge isn’t even close to the smartest option.
Phoenix Suns
Sure, the Suns could be a third team to help the Spurs get Irving. But why do that when you can just trade for Kyrie himself? The Suns have the best collection of assets and picks of anyone who could realistically get Irving. This is an idea of what they could offer:
Suns get: Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert
Cavaliers get: Eric Bledsoe, TJ Warren, Tyler Ulis, Marquese Chriss
This trade would totally alter the identity of the Cavaliers. They’d suddenly have three very promising young players, and a more than solid replacement for Kyrie in Eric Bledsoe, who helps make them a defensive-minded team. His noted friendship with LeBron only helps. This trade package might be the one that the Cavaliers should take, if Suns GM Ryan McDonough is ready to put it on the table.
Golden State Warriors
Just kidding.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have a ton of assets ready to be cashed in for a star of Irving’s caliber, which would give them a tremendous big three of Irving, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic. This would instantly make them one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the NBA, and they can give up a big collection of talent and still be well-off.
Nuggets get: Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert
Cavaliers get: Jamal Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Jameer Nelson, 2018 first-round pick
Again, the Nuggets could do this trade and remain a team with no true holes. But what probably prevents a move like this is the fact that the same can’t be said for the Cavs. They’d go into the season with Nelson, Mudiay and Jose Calderon as their point guards, which is not something they can do if they want any chance of competing with the Warriors. If Denver had a proven starting-caliber Point Guard to give Cleveland, they’d likely be the top suitor.
Cleveland Cavaliers
We all might be overanalyzing this whole thing, and maybe the Cavaliers will just decide to keep Irving, even if he gets disgruntled. After all, he’s still young, a tremendous player, and has multiple years left on his contract. They are in no way forced to move on from him, and could opt to just keep him for what could be their last run at a title.
This situation is certainly going to become more intriguing as it develops, so watch out for these teams as possible trade partners for the Cavaliers if they ultimately decide to deal Kyrie Irving.
