By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
Just a few days ago, Kyrie Irving requested a trade away from the Cleveland Cavaliers and his current role as the team’s lead point guard, according to reports from Brian Windhorst of ESPN. This unprecedented report comes just a year after Irving, LeBron James, and the Cavaliers were hoisting the O’Brien Trophy for the city of Cleveland, the city’s first championship in over 50 years. However, in one of the more bizarre summers in recent NBA history, all of a sudden the team has fallen into an imminent collapse.
Perhaps the start of the disastrous summer for Cleveland basketball fans was the firing of Cavaliers’ general manager David Griffin. Despite Griffin holding the position during the team’s three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, including one victory, his position was still terminated as the head decision maker in the franchise.
Since then, it has been like watching a Jenga tower fall apart. Not soon after, reports broke out that the team’s face of the franchise (and arguably the best player in the league), LeBron James, has been considering leaving his homestate for another team next summer. Most recently, James’ all-star sidekick Kyrie Irving has reportedly become tired of being just that, a sidekick. Irving has requested to be traded away from the Cavaliers in search of a team where he can have a more prominent role.
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Irving told the Cleveland front office that he had four preferred trade destinations: Miami, Minnesota, San Antonio, and New York.
One thing to note is that two of those teams are in the Western Conference, adding even more to the number one storyline of the NBA summer, the rich getting richer. Stars Paul George and Jimmy Butler have already switched to the Western Conference, and with one more switching sides, the East becomes that much more wide open.
Let’s consider the chain reaction that could be caused by Irving heading to each of these four teams, or if he does in fact stay in Ohio.
First, let’s say Irving follows his current Cavs teammate LeBron James’ past decision, and takes his talents to South Beach. Considering Heat GM Pat Riley’s lack of trade assets, this would be an unlikely scenario. Although, if it does unfold, it would certainly propel the Heat, a team that finished last season on a 30-11 tear, into Top-3 Eastern Conference consideration.
Sticking within the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks are another team that would likely be in the mix for a Kyrie Irving trade. It would be assumed the Knicks would have to give up 2017 first round draft pick Frank Ntilikina. But what else does new GM Scott Perry have to offer if New York remains unwilling to give up franchise centerpiece Kristaps Porzingis? The Knicks would likely have to unload an absurd amount of first round picks and tarnish their future for one player, a decision that rarely ever pays off. Considering the Cavaliers might hope to stay contending, this trade helps neither side.
Moving on to the West, this is where things get interesting. The next two teams on Irving’s wish list are the Spurs and Timberwolves.
The Spurs have had a firm hold on a playoff spot for nearly two decades, and the arrival of Irving would almost certainly confirm that for years to come. A tandem of Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard would tear defenses to shreds. And with Gregg Popovich’s veteran expertise, the Spurs might just give Golden State a run for its money.
If Irving heads to his last requested trade location, the Minnesota Timberwolves, all of a sudden the Timberwolves go from a lottery bound team to a team right at the top of the stacked Western Conference. Irving and Timberwolves new addition from Chicago, Jimmy Butler, have a great friendship and have considered joining forces in the NBA in the past.
While it is possible to see Irving moved to either of these four locations before the season starts, what if he isn’t? What if freshly hired Cavaliers GM Koby Altman decides to keep Irving around in hopes of one more title run? Now, things get difficult.
If Irving sticks around in Cleveland, after demanding to be sent elsewhere, team chemistry will likely see great damage. The relationship between James and Irving that has been the driving force in their success will possibly fall apart, and the king himself might be looking for the first flight out of Akron sooner rather than later.
It’s clear the Cavaliers need to move Irving and pick up the best array of assets they can, or else they might risk losing the hometown hero that brought the city its banner in the first place.
