THE NBA world was sent into a frenzy over the weekend after reports surfaced that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 4x All-Star is a highly talented guard who could fetch the Cavs some decent returns on the open market. Irving listed his four destinations he would most like to join as San Antonio, Miami, New York and Minnesota. It’s fine to workshop a deal between Cleveland and one of those four teams, but with Irving’s recent request I had a little bit of fun and structured some other hypotheticals that could seem Kyrie change postcodes.
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Realistic
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Spurs receive – Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye
Cavs receive – LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills
SAN Antonio might be reluctant to part with Patty Mills, but let’s be honest if it lands you Kyrie Irving you wouldn’t think twice. Aldridge has been a scapegoat copping a fair amount of the blame for his struggles in Alamo City. He get’s a fresh start to try and turn shake off his woes and be the 3rd option behind James and Love.
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MIAMI
Heat receive – Kyrie Irving
Cavs receive – Goran Dragic, Justice Winslow
INSTEAD of Justice Winslow, the Heat may try to influence Cleveland to take a future pick instead of the high energy wing. With Dragic and Irving’s salaries matching up fairly easily Miami needs other items to sweeten the deal and Winslow or a pick may be what is required. Bam Adebayo could also be a piece the Cavs ask for as their lack of a rim protector has been an issue over the past few seasons.
NEW YORK
Knicks receive – Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye
Cavs receive – Carmelo Anthony, Frank Ntilikina
THIS one seems like the most likely to occur and the most realistic as well. While the Knicks may not give up Ntilikina, much like the Patty Mills situation, if it lands you Kyrie Irving then nothing else matters. Anthony has been linked to the Cavs for the better part over 12 months and in the offseason stated that he would waive his no trade clause should a deal between New York and Cleveland be manufactured.
MINNESOTA
Timberwolves receive – Kyrie Irving
Cavs receive – Andrew Wiggins, Cole Aldrich, Nemanja Bjelica
TO make the salaries matchup the Timberwolves would have to part with a pair of their back up bigs to get the deal done. After signing Jeff Teague in the offseason Minnesota may dangle him in any negotiations, or look to on trade him to another team. I don’t think any deal with the T-Wolves that didn’t have Wiggins, Butler or KAT would tempt the Cavs and Wiggins is the most likely to make way for Irving’s arrival.
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Somewhat Realistic
PHOENIX
Suns receive – Kyrie Irving, Richard Jefferson
Cavs receive – Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender
ERIC Bledsoe is a player that has been linked to the Cavs on and off for a while now. It’s worth mentioning that Bledsoe and James have the same agent and appear to be quite buddy buddy. Cleveland may ask for Josh Jackson to be included in any trade negotiations, or perhaps even bring in a third team to facilitate the deal.
NEW ORLEANS
Pelicans receive – Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert
Cavs receive – Jrue Holiday, Quincy Pondexter, 2018 & 2019 1st round picks
FINALLY, Anthony Davis gets another talented teammate that’s not a head case. While this move doesn’t make much sense for Cleveland the Pelicans throw in a pair of first rounders, which are crucial for the Cavs considering their lack of youth. It might be tough for Davis, Cousins and Irving to all co-exist, but it’s scary to think what would be possible for those three on the court.
BOSTON
Celtics receive – Kyrie Irving
Cavs receive – Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart
THOMAS, Irving, Hayward, Tatum and Horford. Just let that sink in for a minute. That could be the Celtics starting five and while they sacrifice a bit of depth to pull the trigger on such a move it’s fair to say this trade would make another potential East Finals matchup an absolute can’t miss.
Ridiculous
HERE we go now the fun and games begin!
TRUST THE PROCESS
76ers receive – Kyrie Irving
Cavs receive – Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid
THE Cavs trust the process so much that they decide to bring it to Cleveland! Kyrie definitely gets his wish of becoming a teams focal point.
BANANA BOAT REUNION
Bulls receive – Tristain Thompson, Kyle O’Quinn, 2018 Knicks 1st round pick
Knicks receive – Kevin Love, Richard Jefferson
Rockets receive – Kyrie Irving
Cavs receive – Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul
OK so this trade doesn’t exactly leave Houston, New York or Chicago in a much better place it does allow the ‘Big 4’ to get their wish of playing together. The Cavs starting lineup of Paul, Wade, James and Anthony would be successful and could even claim a title, but regardless they could all resign and ride off into the sunset after playing together for a few seasons. Suck on that Kyrie.
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IN DELLY WE TRUST!
Bucks get – Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith
Cavs get – Matthew Dellavedova, Kris Middleton, Thon Maker
CLEVELAND makes amends for their terrible decision of letting Delly walk by bringing the mayor of Cleveland home. In a bonus, they shed J.R. Smith’s contract and get Middleton and Maker in return. The more I look at this the more I like it for the Cavs.
DUKE REUNION
76ers get – Brook Lopez, Corey Brewer
Bucks get – Julius Randle, Kay Felder
Lakers get – Kyrie Irving, J.J. Redick, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor
Cavs get – Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr.
THIS mage-trade would see Irving, Redick, Ingram, Parker, Okafor and Deng all join forces on the Lakers. That would give them six Duke Blue Devils, with the possibility of trading others pieces and create the first ever all-Duke roster.
WAIT…WHAT?
Warriors get – Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith
Cavs get – Stephen Curry
THOUGHT you were shocked when Paul George went to OKC? Well, this trade easily trumps that.
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