Potential Destinations of Kyrie Irving
Regardless of your opinion on his off court antics, Kyrie Irving is still one of the best point guards in today’s NBA. After all, if not for his three-pointer in Game Seven of the 2016 NBA Finals, the most epic comeback in history wouldn’t happen.
Irving bounced from one team to another after his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While he only played 103 regular-season games the past three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, there is no doubt he could still put up big numbers, especially if he suits up for a full campaign in 2022-23.
Uncertain Future in Brooklyn
Despite only appearing in 29 regular-season games during the 2021-2022 season, Kyrie Irving still finished as the 8th-leading scorer in the NBA (27.4 points per game). However, many pundits believe that we’ve already seen the last of Kyrie Irving in a Nets uniform.
Reports indicate that extension talks between the seven-time All-Star and the Nets front office have reached an impasse. It also didn’t help that Irving allegedly held his practice sessions right after Head Coach Steve Nash’s practice sessions over the course of the year, creating internal strife within the Nets organization.
The icing on the cake: Irving has already pre-emptively laid down his preferred destinations where the Nets could send him via a sign-and-trade manoeuvre. None of this screams “Net for Life” when it comes to his future in Brooklyn.
Kyrie’s Preferences
Six teams made the list of preferred destinations.
Not surprisingly, the list included the Los Angeles Lakers and former Cavs teammate LeBron James. While the Lakers have been among the rumoured frontrunners to land Kyrie Irving, their current roster situation will be something to watch out for as observers doubt the Lakers have enough tradable assets to get a deal across the finish line.
While some have floated the idea of a Westbrook for Irving swap, what this would mean for Brooklyn, and Kevin Durant’s future with the team, would have to be heavily factored in as well. If KD is excited about the prospect of reuniting with his former Thunder teammate, he certainly hasn’t gone public with that sentiment as of yet.
The Irving list also included the Lakers’ cross-hall rivals, the Clippers. However, it would be difficult for the Clippers to get a deal going without involving a major piece like Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. On the other side, the Clippers would be in better shape if they managed to get a deal without sending either of their two All-Stars for the one-time NBA champion.
Interestingly, the Nets’ crosstown neighbours, the New York Knicks made the list. But whether Joe Tsai wants to be doing favours for anyone in his own backyard remains to be seen.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are also amongst Irving’s preferred destinations. The problem is both the Sixers and the Mavs are dealing with roster problems of their own- particularly with the Sixers who have a looming decision to make as to what to do with James Harden. Miami could likely send “quantity over quality” Brooklyn’s way, as it’s highly unlikely they’d be willing to move any of their core pieces in a bid to acquire Kyrie.
The Lakers are Frontrunners
Whether you like it or not, a Kyrie-LeBron could happen again.
If there’s one superstar who knows how to play alongside Kyrie Irving, it’s LeBron James. And who knows? With Irving in the picture, LeBron James might actually sign an extension with the Lakers.
That’s largely why reports say that the Lakers are actively pursuing Kyrie Irving. GM LeBron has never been shy about letting front offices know what he wants to see done personnel wise, so if he wants Irving, odds are the Lakers will at least set up a meeting with Brooklyn.
While the Lakers don’t appear to have any tradable assets not named Russell Westbrook, don’t be surprised if the Nets bite on a deal to send Kyrie Irving packing elsewhere. Getting something in return for the disgruntled star is better than ultimately losing him nothing.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.