Exploring the New Kyrie Irving Possibilities
If you thought that prior to the start of the 2022-2023 season that the Kyrie Irving trade drama was over, guess again. For a team already dealing with the absence of Kevin Durant due to injury, the latest development in the Kyrie Irving saga is the last thing the Brooklyn Nets needed.
Some may have seen this coming- especially those who believed Irving wouldn’t stop until he gets what he wants: an exit from Brooklyn. The fact that Irving and the Nets failed to agree on a new contract extension for the former NBA champion was a clear sign that Irving’s time in Brooklyn was coming to an end. One way or another.
But with the February 9th trade deadline less than a week away, the question now becomes whether there are other NBA franchises willing to take a risk on the Kyrie circus and the distractions it would inherently bring.
Los Angeles Lakers
Let’s not kid around. When news broke that Kyrie Irving had requested a trade, LeBron was one of the first people to weigh in on the situation via social media.
The Lakers have been linked to Irving since the 2022 offseason. Given the Lakers’ ongoing struggles plus the fanbase’s pleas to improve the roster, a trade to acquire Irving could be on the horizon.
Of all the teams associated with Irving, the Lakers have the strongest chance of keeping the disgruntled guard on the rails because of LeBron.
James and Irving won a championship together in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also reached the NBA Finals on three other occasions after LeBron returned from the Miami Heat.
The Lakers may be forced to include their two remaining 1st round picks to finalize a deal. Something they’ve been increasingly reluctant to do of late. But there’s an argument to be made that the Nets are exactly working from a “position of strength” at the moment in negotiations.
Complicating matters further, in order to get the salaries to match, Russell Westbrook would almost assuredly need to be involved in the deal somehow as well.
LeBron has willed trades into fruition in the past. Does he have one last bit of front office magic up his sleeve? Or will Rob Pelinka & Co. think that Irving’s baggage isn’t worth the price?
Dallas Mavericks
Imagine a Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving backcourt in Mavericks blue.
Doncic is averaging 33.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, while Irving is producing a 27p-5r-5a stat line per game.
If Dallas plays their cards right, the Mavs would have one of the best offensive backcourts in the association. The catch: they would most likely be sending Spencer Dinwiddie to Brooklyn, and would probably need to include Dorian Finley-Smith in the package as well.
While on paper the move is a clear upgrade, the larger issue is the Mavericks currently paper thin roster depth. While acquiring Irving may be just what the franchise needs to get over the hump, it would also put them in a position where an injury to any of their starting 5 could have disastrous results.
Dinwiddie played for the Nets from 2016 to 2021 so familiarity isn’t going to be a problem assuming the trade happens. And we know that Mark Cuban isn’t afraid to take homerun swings. Any potential deal would have to be pick heavy as Dallas isn’t exactly a treasure trove of young talent at the moment.
Phoenix Suns
Right now, the Suns sit in 5th place in the Western Conference with a 29-26 record. However, Devin Booker hasn’t played since December 26th and history shows that when a new owner comes in, they like to make splashy moves right out of the gate.
If a trade were to materialize, the trio of Booker, Irving, and Mikal Bridges would create mismatches galore for opposing teams. At least on offense.
Defense is another problem. Something that would likely take a further step backwards if Deandre Ayton were involved in the deal, which he more than likely would need to be.
The Suns are currently taking a long hard look at themselves in the mirror at the moment. After the Ayton negotiations this summer, which resulted in a reluctant offer sheet match, and a soon to be 38 year old point guard in Chris Paul, the club could head in a variety of directions.
But unless they make some sort of roster shakeup, most would agree, their title window is quickly closing.
Brooklyn has until February 9th to figure things out. If they wait until the offseason they’ll lose Kyrie Irving for nothing. If they trade him, they’re almost guaranteed to be in freefall in the East until Durant returns from injury.
Either way, you can excuse Nets fans, and players alike for being less than thrilled with their mercurial teammates’ behaviour of late.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.