Kyrie Irving was a part-time player for the majority of the season, and there’s no doubt that his absences affected the team’s performance over the year. The Brooklyn Nets were also heavily disappointing in the playoffs, getting eliminated in the first round, while also being the only team not to a win a game in that stage of the playoffs.
There have been reports that the Brooklyn Nets could potentially elect to trade Kyrie Irving, as they are “unwilling to offer” him a “long-term contract”. If they were to go this route, there’s no doubt that a sign-and-trade would help them get a solid return and remain a competitive team. A Kyrie Irving sign-and-trade would likely feature him inking a new long-term contract, 4-years and $182.1 million, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac:
If Irving is leaving Brooklyn, it would most likely occur via sign-and-trade. The good news is, for our purposes here, the contract would be the exact same either way:
2022-23: $42,350,000
2023-24: $44,467,500
2024-25: $46,585,000
2025-26: $48,702,500
Total: Four years, $182,105,000
That’s a four-year deal with 5% raises, which is the max Irving can get from another team, either straight signing via cap space or via sign-and-trade.
In this article, we will cover the 3 best destinations for Kyrie Irving if the Brooklyn Nets elect to trade him. There’s no doubt that some of these teams could potentially reach the next level with his addition.
3. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes
This trade is fairly straightforward. The Sacramento Kings have recently shown a willingness to try and win now, rather than being stuck in a perpetual rebuild, which is why a player like Kyrie Irving could potentially interest them. They were willing to trade away a young prospect in Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis at the last trade deadline, so perhaps this could be a similar type of move.
Moving De’Aaron Fox would hurt for the Kings, but a duo of Kyrie Irving and Domantas Sabonis is definitely a good foundation to build on. The Sacramento Kings also have the No. 4 pick in the draft, which could potentially be used to facilitate a different win-now move. Even if the No. 4 pick is actually used to draft a player, a promising prospect next to Kyrie Irving and Domantas Sabonis would still be a fairly competitive core.
As for the Brooklyn Nets, they would receive a good young point guard in De’Aaron Fox, as well as a veteran wing in Harrison Barnes. De’Aaron Fox averaged 23.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 5.6 APG this season, and he would immediately become the No. 2 scoring option on the Brooklyn Nets. They would also have enough spacing to open up room for his slashing, as they have elite shooters like Seth Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joe Harris on the roster.
Harrison Barnes is a two-way player that can provide contributions on both ends of the floor, and he is definitely a useful piece for a championship-contending team like the Brooklyn Nets.
Overall, this deal would get the Brooklyn Nets a solid return for their superstar point guard. While obviously neither De’Aaron Fox nor Harrison Barnes is as good as Kyrie Irving, getting both of those players back in a trade would keep the Nets as a competitive team.
2. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, P. J. Washington
Joining the Charlotte Hornets would allow Kyrie Irving to team up with one of the most exciting young players in basketball in LaMelo Ball. Kyrie Irving and LaMelo Ball would become one of the best backcourts in the league, and the Charlotte Hornets would likely be an offensive powerhouse with those two players at the helm.
Kyrie Irving would take a lot of attention off of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, allowing them to have an easier time on the offensive end. There’s no doubt that he could become that veteran leader that they have lacked at times this year.
The Charlotte Hornets would give up Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward in this deal, two experienced veterans. Terry Rozier had a productive scoring season this year, averaging 19.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 4.5 APG. Gordon Hayward also had a solid year in a supplementary offensive role, purring up 15.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG. The Hornets would also throw in P. J. Washington, who is a promising power forward that is lights out from beyond the arc.
This deal would net the Brooklyn Nets two very good veteran players, as well as a promising young prospect. This would be a solid return that improves their depth, while also giving them an asset for the future.
1. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C. J. McCollum, Herb Jones, 2023 First Round Pick (NOP), 2024 First Round Pick (MIL)
This trade would be a good trade for the New Orleans Pelicans, who are clearly looking to start winning more games going forward, as stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson continue to blossom. They already made the playoffs this year, and many believe that they will be contenders soon.
Perhaps making a move for Kyrie Irving could accelerate the contending process for the team. Kyrie Irving, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson would be one of the best big 3s in the entire league, and few teams will be able to match that sort of firepower offensively. Kyrie Irving also knows what it takes to win championships, and perhaps he could teach the young Pelicans how to win.
In this trade, the New Orleans Pelicans would give up C. J. McCollum, a promising defensive player in Herb Jones, and draft compensation. C. J. McCollum would obviously step into being the No. 2 option behind Kevin Durant, while Herb Jones would help them a lot by guarding the best player on the opposing team and taking some defensive responsibility off of Kevin Durant’s shoulders.
Overall, this trade would get the Brooklyn Nets an experienced veteran scorer, an elite perimeter defender with upside, and some draft picks to use in the future. From a value standpoint, this is an amazing package. For the New Orleans Pelicans, acquiring Kyrie Irving would put them over the top, and with him on the roster, they could potentially make a very deep playoff run, maybe even making the Finals.
