There is no doubt that Kyrie Irving is one of the greatest offensive point guards of his era and has consistently been one of the most unstoppable players in the league since his rookie season. We have probably never seen a player with better handles than Irving because the former Cleveland Cavaliers star has the ability to create any shot he wants at any time. Of course, Kyrie has consistently been a walking bucket with a career average of 23.3 PPG on 47.1% FG and 39.2% 3-PT FG.
On paper, Kyrie is as untouchable as they come. The reason is that the man is capable of carrying an offense by himself, especially as he has gained more experience over the past few years. Irving is definitely a better all-around player than he used to be and has kept the standard of his elite shooting and dribbling ability. This season, Irving is posting 27.2 PPG on 49.0% FG, 37.9% 3-PT FG, and 89.3% FT. The point guard is still one of the best offensive players in the NBA, even if he is currently playing alongside the NBA’s leading scorer in, Luka Doncic.
Fortunately for Mavericks fans, Kyrie Irving was traded to Dallas before the trade deadline after another drama-filled season in Brooklyn. For whatever reason, Kyrie could not focus on basketball since joining the Nets and finally has a chance to make an impact alongside Luka Doncic. Doncic and Kyrie Irving are one of the most talented duos in NBA history, even if Kyrie cannot be trusted to stay focused on basketball. Of course, reports have come out that Kyrie Irving is not certain about his future at the moment. In other words, Irving could potentially leave Dallas in the offseason if the Mavericks do not offer him the contract he wants or if the player wants to play for another team. Remember, Irving is a free agent in the offseason, as his max contract expires at the end of this season.
To entertain the idea of Kyrie Irving testing the free agent waters, here are the top trade destinations that can see the 2016 NBA champion signing up for their franchise. While it is unlikely that a top-20 player in the league would not be offered a maximum contract, there are a ton of circumstances that could force Kyrie out of Dallas and onto yet another team. It is time to discover the best and most realistic destinations for the services of 8-time All-Star Kyrie Irving.
5. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls’ season greatly depends on what management decides to do with core players, including Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, on the roster. Both stars were in trade rumors before the trade deadline, but neither of them was moved as the Bulls held intact. Currently, they are nothing but an average team at best, although they have performed at a below-average level. At 26-33, Chicago is at risk of missing the postseason.
To prevent blowing up the entire roster, the Bulls might go after Kyrie Irving. Zach LaVine, at only 27 years old, could be untouchable as he is posting 24.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.1 APG on 46.5% FG, 36.9% 3-PT FG, and 83.6% FT. The shooting guard has an elite jump shot from deep and signed a 5-year max extension with the Bulls on July 9, 2022. Of course, there is also Lonzo Ball, who is shut down for the season but is still a franchise cornerstone. Ball had a decent career so far by averaging 11.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 6.2 APG, and he is an excellent defender. As solid as LaVine and Ball are, adding Kyrie Irving could shake up the East with a potential sign-and-trade involving DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan is 33 years old and heading on 34, so he is the odd man out.
A trio of Ball, Kyrie, and LaVine, brings it on both ends of the floor and creates a better core than what Chicago has right now. Losing DeRozan, who made the All-Star Team this year, is not ideal but could be necessary. Kyrie is a better shooter than DeRozan (37.9% 3-PT FG vs. 31.8% 3-PT FG) and simply a more impactful player. Dallas gains DeRozan, who brings athleticism to a Mavericks side that can pair Luka with the star wing. Dallas gave up two starters and a first-round pick for Kyrie, so instead of losing him for nothing, acquiring DeMar DeRozan is not a bad return, either.
4. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns suffered a disastrous exit from the 2022 postseason, not coming close to the Finals berth they had one year prior. It is no secret that Chris Paul is in his final years and could become available, as he was reportedly already dangled for Kyrie Irving before the trade deadline. Not to mention, acquiring Kevin Durant has placed the Suns on the map as one of the most talented teams in the NBA. Even if Phoenix missed out on Irving, they won in the end because KD is arguably the best player in the world alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Since Chris Paul is no longer untouchable, he could be included in a sign-and-trade in the offseason.
Packaging CP3 with any assets and picks necessary for an All-Star in Kyrie Irving could help Phoenix get out of the West with Booker and Durant. At the same time, Durant and Irving reunite on better terms and can gladly be somewhat out of the spotlight because Booker is the “man” in Phoenix after getting drafted to the franchise with the No. 13 overall pick. Kyrie, Booker, and Durant would be extremely deadly on the court together.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks get a dynamic two-way point guard in Paul, who would improve Dallas’ playmaking which is entirely on the shoulders of Luka Doncic. Perhaps a deal involving Deandre Ayton would be needed, and even he could improve Dallas. Phoenix would probably strike a deal for Kyrie if he became available because they were clearly keen on him. The Suns need to make use of their core involving Durant (34 years old), and Kyrie Irving would be a very interesting addition, to say the least.
3. Miami Heat
Miami has developed Bam Adebayo effectively well because his partnership with Jimmy Butler has already seen the catalyst for a Finals appearance in 2020. Sure, they are also relying on Tyler Herro over the past two seasons because his offense has been invaluable. The only way Miami should move on from Herro would be to add an All-Star offensive player, something that Kyrie absolutely is. Herro is posting 20.6 PPG this season, which is very solid but not All-Star worthy so far.
The only way for Miami to acquire Iriving would be via a sign-and-trade. No doubt, Dallas will ask for Herro as a priority. But if Irving wants to sign with Miami, the Mavericks might even have to accept a package centered around Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, and picks with other young players (Nikola Jovic). No matter the package that gets offered, Kyrie to Miami is a very real possibility because only the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers are legitimate title threats. Miami can compete with these teams by acquiring one of the top offensive players in the NBA to allow Butler and Adebayo to focus on defense.
The Heat is a well-coached squad with a mix of talented players, but Kyrie Irving would take them over the top. A Big Three of Irving, Butler, and Bam would be exciting to watch. For Dallas, they gain a shooter in Herro, who could become an All-Star next year. We are not sure if Jimmy Butler and company would be happy with this deal, considering Kyrie has been unfocused on basketball since leaving Cleveland, but it could work if the point guard gets back into top shape and shows his championship experience. At the same time, Dallas either rebuilds with Herro joining Luka Doncic or a host of players that can be later moved to add to their draft asset collection.
2. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks desperately needed to surround Luka Doncic with appropriate talent, even if they made the Western Conference Finals last year. The addition of Christian Wood was big, and for the team to take that next step, they should look to keep one of the most talented duos ever with Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Acquiring Irving this season was major news, especially because they only gave up two starters and one first-round pick while keeping other players, such as Christian Wood, on the roster. Right now, the Mavericks are climbing the rankings at 31-29, which is 6th in the West.
While Luka continued to learn the ropes of superstardom with Irving by his side, the Mavericks can rack up wins and strive for top-3 seeding in the West. Next season and going forward, Dallas would do a great job in convincing the point guard to stay and compete alongside Luka. Kyrie has suffered a hit on his reputation for demanding trades out of Boston and Brooklyn and has not proven to be a winning player since leaving Cleveland. If Kyrie stays and sees out his career in Dallas, it could do well for his image.
For Dallas, having two scoring superstars is the basis for a title contender in the Western Conference. Assuming the Mavericks keep Wood, a strong two-way big man, Dallas could improve the team next season on both ends of the floor while adding depth around the stars. The most important thing in the NBA is having elite talent, as the rest of the team can be built around a core. Irving has not made it clear that he wants to remain in Dallas, but that could be an excellent city for Irving to improve his image, try to win alongside Luka, and earn a contract that could appease the player as it is in line with his terms.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward to the rest of the season and next year because the addition of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt could motivate the return of the best two-way duo in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Of course, Russell Westbrook is finally gone. As great as Russell Westbrook has been over his career, he was not an All-Star player anymore and hampered the team quite a bit when he was on the floor with LeBron. The Lakers need to add star players because James is 38 years old, and Davis is slowly getting older and more injury-prone as the tears go by. Los Angeles was in the mix for Kyrie, but they failed to acquire him.
In the offseason, the Lakers can manage to acquire one of the best offensive players in the NBA. Kyrie, LeBron, and Davis would ravage defenses with their size and skill, and the reunion of Irving and The King would be a media story to follow all year. Remember, D’Angelo Russell is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and the Lakers can clear the deck for a chance to acquire superstar Kyrie Irving. With Irving joining a dynamic duo in Los Angeles, the Lakers could be the title favorites coming out of the Western Conference.
LeBron and Kyrie were dominant in 2016, and while The King is older and not the same player, Kyrie is arguably better as a shot-creator and all-around player. Of course, Anthony Davis is there down low and is certainly a better player than Kevin Love. There will be steep competition for the Lakers to engage in a sign-and-trade because Dallas wants to keep Irving just as much as Los Angeles does. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, Kyrie could be in a better place to compete for a championship with the Lakers because a dominant Big Three beats a dynamic duo every day of the week.
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