Kyrie Irving’s name has regularly been brought up in trade rumors this summer. Ever since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, there have been multiple reports that indicated that the team has also engaged with rival franchises about trades for Kyrie Irving.
The team that Kyrie Irving has most frequently been linked to is the Los Angeles Lakers. However, a recent report revealed that the Brooklyn Nets are not interested in the Lakers’ offer, despite the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers are now willing to give up two first-round picks for the point guard.
Perhaps this is the time for some other teams to try and get in the mix to try and trade for Kyrie Irving. He is still one of the best point guards in the league, and adding him would immediately raise any team’s talent level. Here are 3 teams that could potentially get Kyrie Irving and end up shocking the Los Angeles Lakers.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: CJ McCollum, Kira Lewis, Jaxson Hayes, 2023 First-Round Pick
The New Orleans Pelicans will be entering win-now mode once Zion Williamson returns next season. They made the playoffs without him this past season under Brandon Ingram’s leadership, and with an All-Star level talent being added to the roster, they should, in theory, be a dangerous team.
Trading for Kyrie Irving wouldn’t necessarily require a lot from the team since he is on an expiring contract, and thus the Brooklyn Nets are likely prioritizing getting value in return. In terms of players, the Pelicans would have to give up veteran CJ McCollum in this scenario, as well as two decent prospects in Kira Lewis Jr. and Jaxson Hayes. There would be one first-round pick involved as draft compensation.
This deal would give the Brooklyn Nets some young players to develop, as well as a good veteran leader in CJ McCollum. McCollum’s deal expires in 2024, which means his expiring contract will be a valuable trade piece during the 2023-24 season. Jaxson Hayes is likely the main draw in this deal for the Nets, as he is a hyper-athletic and efficient big man who has shown some ability to play both the PF and the C positions.
For the Pelicans, getting Kyrie Irving means getting an elite shot creator to put next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Kyrie Irving also has championship experience, which will be valuable when it comes to the Pelicans trying to win at the highest level. Adding a proven player like Kyrie Irving to an already fantastic core will increase the team’s ceiling and make them one of the favorites to win the title.
2. Miami Heat
Miami Heat Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Gabe Vincent 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
It was recently reported that the Miami Heat want to “revisit” a Kyrie Irving trade. Perhaps Kyrie Irving will thrive on a franchise with an elite coach and structure. On the Heat’s end, acquiring Kyrie Irving is a no-brainer. Aside from Jimmy Butler, a lot of players on their roster struggled to give consistent offense in the playoffs, and Kyrie Irving would solve that issue. A one-two punch of Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving would be one of the best in the Eastern Conference.
The Brooklyn Nets would receive two veterans, Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson, in this deal. Those two players’ contracts are included in the deal for financial reasons, and the key draw here is prospect Nikola Jovic, Gabe Vincent, and the two first-round picks involved. The 2028 first-round pick, in particular, could end up being very valuable, as the Heat will likely be done contending by then.
It remains to be seen if the Miami Heat do end up trading for Kyrie Irving, but a deal makes sense for both them and the Brooklyn Nets. Adding Kyrie Irving to a core featuring Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro would make the Heat a true contender, while the Brooklyn Nets would get a solid package with a lot of useful pieces. The Miami Heat definitely have the assets to beat the Los Angeles Lakers offer, and perhaps we’ll see them resume talks with the Brooklyn Nets at some point in the future.
1. Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls Receive: Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Dalen Terry, 2023 First-Round Pick (POR via CHI), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHI)
The Chicago Bulls signed Zach LaVine to a huge extension this past summer, and they project to be a team that is contending for the next few years. While they lost in 5 games in the first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks in this year’s playoff, Kyrie Irving could increase the team’s ceiling and give them a legitimate chance of getting to the NBA Finals and winning a championship.
The one thing that separates the Chicago Bulls’ trade offer from others in this scenario is their ability to offer Lonzo Ball, who should be considered the best potential player in any trade scenario for Kyrie Irving. He is an elite defender, shooter, and playmaker who is still 24 and has not reached his full potential. The Bulls would also offer up elite defensive guard Alex Caruso, promising prospect Dalen Terry, and two first-round picks. That is a very good deal for an aging star on an expiring contract, from the Brooklyn Nets’ perspective, and it could become a good deal for the Chicago Bulls as well if Kyrie Irving ends up signing a long-term deal with the team.
Kyrie Irving and Zach LaVine would make up an elite offensive front court, and having Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan on the roster would make them close to being a super team. It is clear that the Chicago Bulls would have a real chance to win a championship by acquiring Kyrie Irving, and they should explore every possibility to try and make a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
