The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the process of taking trade offers for their disgruntled all-star point guard Kyrie Irving. There are plenty of rumors out there as just about every NBA team has contacted the Cavs expressing their interest in Irving. In his private meeting with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert a few weeks ago, Irving expressed his desire to be traded to one of the following four teams…New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat or San Antonio Spurs. Irving does not have a no trade clause in his contract so he cannot control where he is dealt. The four teams reportedly expressing the most interest in Irving are the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. The Knicks offer Irving the opportunity to play close to home which he strongly desires. The problem with the Knicks is they are willing to offer Carmelo Anthony and a combination of draft picks which does not interest Cleveland. Anthony also prefers a deal to the Houston Rockets so there does not seem to be a match with the Knicks unless a 3rd team is brought in and Anthony gives the ok to be traded to the Cavaliers. The other three teams mentioned above offer the best opportunities for Cleveland to get a good return in an Irving deal. Let’s take a look at each team and the possible return the Cavs could expect to receive.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is one of the teams on Irving’s preferred destination list. He has a strong desire to play along side guard Jimmy Butler who Cleveland attempted to trade for before he was dealt to the Wolves. Any trade package for Irving would have to include Andrew Wiggins who is currently in talks with Minnesota on a five year contract extension. Wiggins and center Gorgui Dieng could be enough to get it done. The Cavs could recoup their #1 pick from three years ago whom they used to acquire Kevin Love.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have a legit serious interest in acquiring Irving. Former Cavalier James Jones has been named V.P. of Basketball Operations with the Suns which could aid in trade talks between the two teams. Eric Bledsoe is a long time friend of Lebron James and would be included in any deal with Irving between the two teams. The sticking point would be the inclusion of #4 pick Josh Jackson out of Kansas. To this point the Suns have been reluctant to include Jackson and have reportedly informed him he will not be in a deal for Irving. As time goes on all of this could change. The rumored deal has been Bledsoe, Jackson and a 1st rd pick for Irving. There would likely be others involved to make salaries work. Will the Cavaliers eventually give in and accept T.J. Warren or will the Suns give in and include Jackson? Only time will tell.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets without a doubt have the assets to pull off a deal for Kyrie Irving. A report today stated that former Cavalier Mike Miller has stated that Irving is interested in joining the Nuggets. The rumored deal has centered around young talented Denver guards Gary Harris and Jamaal Murray. A combination of those two along with small forward Wilson Chandler could be enough to entice the Cavaliers into a deal. The teams could also expand the deal and include veteran forward Kenneth Faried who could fill an Anderson Verajao type role off of the Cavs bench. Denver would most likely want assurance that Irving would be willing to stay beyond the two years left on his contract before giving up their talented guard duo.
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