Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving: Six Potential Trades for the Brooklyn Nets 

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Earlier this week, the Brooklyn Nets announced that Kyrie would not be a part of the team until he is available as a full-time player. With Irving set to miss the entire 2021-22 NBA season unless he decides to get a vaccine, the Brooklyn Nets may want to consider trading Irving. The Nets could get plenty back as Irving is still one of the top guards in the league, a former champion, and would be an asset to any team. The following six trades range from the sensible to the out-of-the-ordinary. 

 

Trade #1: Superstar Guard for Superstar Guard

 

The following blockbuster trade would see the Brooklyn Nets trade Kyrie Irving to the Portland Trailblazers for superstar point guard Damian Lillard. This deal would have a huge impact on both teams. Lillard would be as close to a championship as he has ever been. Alongside Harden and Durant, the potential big three would be a scary trio, especially in the clutch. There is no doubt the Nets would finish with a record like what they finished with in the 2020-21 season. On the other side, Irving would get a fresh start in the Western Conference as a member of the Blazers. Portland would avoid a rebuild while having the backcourt duo of Irving and CJ McCollum. This trade could also have several problems. While the contracts are similar enough, Lillard and the Blazers have shut down rumors that Rumor wanted to be traded. The team wanted to focus on building around Lillard. The team has unfortunately had problems building around Lillard during last the nine years, with the team only making the Western Conference Finals once. It may be time for Portland to let Lillard go while avoiding a rebuild.

 

Trade #2: Brooklyn Adds a Young Star Guard

 

This trade would see the Brooklyn Nets trade Kyrie Irving traded to the Sacramento Kings for Kings guard De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell. Adding Fox would be a positive for the Nets, as when it comes to stats, Fox and Irving are quite similar. Irving only averaged a single point per game more than Fox did over the course of the 2020-21 season. Averaging over 25 PPG, Fox would be a reliable scoring option behind Durant and Harden while getting out of the Sacramento. Including the rookie Davion Mitchell in the trade could either see him a spot on the bench or flip him for cash or a future draft pick to a team in need of a young guard. On the other side, Irving could have many benefits for the Kings. Irving would be a leader to a team in dire need of leadership. He would also be able to help the Kings out of the trouble they have faced for the majority of the last two decades. While he may not get the Kings to the playoffs immediately, he could potentially attract a young star to the Kings. 

 

Trade #3: Kyrie Heads to L.A.

 

This second blockbuster trade would see Kyrie Irving head to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for superstar shooting guard Paul George. In the couple of seasons that Paul George has been in Los Angeles alongside Kawhi Leonard, things have not worked out come playoff time. George had a poor performance during the 2020 playoffs, and the Kawhi absence in the 2021 Western Conference Finals had a huge impact on the Clippers not reaching the NBA Finals. While George did improve with Leonard’s absence, maybe George could use a new home and situation. In Brooklyn, George would be the third option. It is unlikely that George’s scoring would fall off, but he would fit well in Irving’s role. On the other side, Irving would be a unique partner alongside Kawhi Leonard. With Leonard set to miss over half of the season, Irving would be the Clippers’ #1 scoring option and de facto leader until Leonard returns. Both players have championship experience and would be able to keep the Clippers in the championship conversation. With Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe being the two main guards, the Clippers could use a more dependable guard as Bledsoe has not been the greatest over the last handful of seasons and Jackson had his ups and downs until the playoffs. 

 

Trade #4: Russell Returns to the Nets

 

This trade would see Kyrie Irving head to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Wolves guard D’Angelo Russell. Without a doubt, Russell had his best season as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. He was an All-Star as a member of the Nets and played a huge role in the culture that led to Irving and Durant joining the team. While Russell’s scoring has dipped in the last couple of seasons due to a combination of injuries and health and safety protocols, a return to the Nets could have a huge impact on him. While he would be a third scoring option on the Nets, he would be learning from two of the best scorers in NBA history. In Minnesota, Irving would play a huge factor in Karl-Anthony Towns’ future. In the six seasons that Towns have been in the league, he has seen one winning season, the season Jimmy Butler was a member of the Wolves. With Irving at the point, Towns would have a reliable guard at his side. Irving would also play a huge role in getting the Wolves back into the post-season. While it is unlikely that Irving would get the Wolves back in the playoffs right away, he would move the team in the right direction. 

 

Trade #5: Three Stars Find Three New Homes 

 

The fifth trade scenario would see a three-team deal between the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans. Brooklyn would gain young star Brandon Ingram, Dallas would gain Irving, and New Orleans would add Kristaps Porzingis. In his five seasons in the league, Brandon Ingram has been closely compared to Kevin Durant with Durant noting how similar they are himself. Due to the Pelicans being where they are in the league right now, not a lot of attention has been paid to Brandon Ingram. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged over 23 PPG and 5.0 RPG. With James Harden being called the point guard of the Nets last season, it is possible that in this trade, Joe Harris or a Patty Mills could start at shooting guard with Ingram at the small forward and Durant at power forward. The lineup would be a terrifying presence in the Eastern Conference and remain a championship contender. In Dallas, Irving would be everything that superstar Luka Doncic has needed since coming into the league. With Kyrie being a reliable scoring option alongside Luka, the duo would one of the best backcourts in the league while helping move Dallas into the contender tier. While Porzingis has missed plenty of games over the last couple of seasons, he is still a reliable scorer and rebounder, something the Pelicans need. Porzingis would make up for the rebounding the team lost by trading Steven Adams a couple of months ago. A pairing of Porzingis and Zion Williamson would be an impressive backcourt and help move New Orleans back towards the playoffs. 

 

Trade #6: Ben Simmons Finally Gets Out of Philly

 

This trade would see the Nets trade Kyrie Irving to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. The Rumor going around in the basketball world is that this trade has already been considered and denied by both teams. While it’s easy to understand why both teams would deny this trade, both teams could benefit from it. The biggest criticism of Ben Simmons since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals has been his shooting. While Simmons may not be the best shooter and has been described as stubborn when it comes to improving his shot, James Harden and Kevin Durant could be two of the best people to help him improve his shooting. At the same time, Simmons would give the Nets the much-needed defense they didn’t have last season. With Simmons’ credibility being ruined over the course of the last few months, many have probably forgotten that Simmons finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. On the other side of this trade, Irving would give the Sixers what they currently need and more. Irving would give Philly the scoring guard they so desperately needed in the playoffs. Philly struggled when superstar Joel Embiid was on the bench. By adding Irving, Embiid would not have to carry most of the scoring load. Irving would also help Philadelphia in the clutch, something the team also struggled with on more than one occasion last season. While the history of each player is the reason this trade won’t happen, both teams should consider the benefits this trade would have.

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