Where should Kyrie Irving land? [Update]

Where should Kyrie Irving land? [Update]

Possible destinations include Dallas, Manhattan, and Los Angeles

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Is there a current NBA player who invokes more disgust, loathing, and aversion than Kyrie Irving? The Brooklyn Nets guard is on his way to imploding his third team. First, he demanded out of Cleveland after tiring playing second fiddle to LeBron James. Then he aggressively bounced out of Boston, creating a mutual hatred while out the door. Now with Brooklyn, he has fostered a culture of chaos: Advocating for not needing a head coach and saying he, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, and Sean Marks are running the team by committee.

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It’s impossible to ignore God-given talent. Irving is among the most skilled offensive players, dribblers, and passers in the history of the NBA. His skill set is unmatched, but in the last three seasons, his health and personal availability have made it difficult to judge his play on a large sample size. But even on a “down” year where he played in just 29 games, Irving still averaged 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game on shooting splits of 47/42/92.

Rumors have already leaked that Irving has given the front office a list of teams he is willing to be signed and traded to, should the situation devolve to that place. The list included the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

When it comes to Irving, it’s hard to parse through what has merit and what’s bullshit. If this list is indeed accurate to Irving’s preferences, the Nets must at least consider Irving’s wish list. Additionally, Irving’s impending free agency will impact the Nets’ decision-making, as potential trade-partner teams will want a verbal commitment from Irving.

After burning through his third team, is there even a situation that makes sense for him anymore? His anti-vaccine stance, flat-Earth philosophy, and erratic behavior on and off the court have run off teammates, coaches, and front offices throughout his career.

So let’s go through the top five destinations on Irving’s list and weigh the pros and cons of his potential fit.

Updated on June 27 at 7:10 p.m.: Seven hours after posting this look at possible teams Kyrie Irving might end up on next season, the enigmatic guard opted to stay in Brooklyn, where he’ll make $37M in 2022-23.

“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” Irving said according to The Athletic. “I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall.”

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2 / 7

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks

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The Mavs have spent the past two decades under owner Mark Cuban committed to only drafting, trading for, and signing high-character guys. They have rarely taken risks on potential malcontents or character enigmas. They quickly pivoted to jettison them off in trade when they ended up with one. This has extended to the team they’ve built around Luka Dončić, which has more character than talent. If any team could theoretically absorb Irving’s cumbersome behavior without losing its identity, it’s the Mavericks.

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The Mavs showed in last season’s playoffs that they are at their best offensively when Luka plays off-ball and Jalen Brunson is on-ball as the lead playmaker. Luka’s response to that paradigm has been hot and cold and fluctuated on whether they won or lost. Would he be OK deferring to Irving as the primary, ball-dominant guard? Irving would instantly be the best player Dončić has ever played with, including a way-past-his-prime Dirk Nowitzki. In addition, Irving would bring a clutch element for end-of-games Dončić desperately needs. For the money to match, one must imagine a trade would involve a Brunson sign and trade plus Maxi Kleber, Frank Ntilikina, and Josh Green.

Fit: B-

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3 / 7

New York Knicks

New York Knicks

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It seems the Nets have overtaken the Knicks as the most dysfunctional franchise in New York and the league. While the Knicks had the worst record of the two last season, they don’t have superstars demanding trades and impending free agents potentially walking out for nothing. This makes Irving joining the cross-town rival Knicks the antithesis of what Leon Rose should do next.

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While Irving would undoubtedly give the Knicks their best point guard since Walt Frazier, he also brings exactly the kind of baggage Rose has worked hard to distance from his team. At 30-years-old, Irving’s timeline is in win-now mode, a far cry from where the Lottery-bound Knicks team currently stands. Furthermore, any trade for Irving would gut the Knicks roster so that the Nets could satisfy Durant with enough of a competitive supporting cast. Who would Irving even be joining in New York? Julius Randle and RJ Barrett? Most of the young guys like Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley would be sent off in the trade, leaving Knicks fans angry as hell and the team no better than they were before the trade.

Fit: D

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4 / 7

Miami Heat

Miami Heat

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Ever since the Bubble, the Miami Heat have tried to win it all without a superstar. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are excellent players, but in the playoffs, neither has stepped up and been able to win it all as the best player on the court. At this point in his career, is Irving a superstar? It’s hard to assume this when Irving has played an average of 34 games per year for the last three seasons. While his number certainly signifies All-Star consideration, his career shows he is at his best as a secondary option to a true superstar. This was the case in both his stints in Cleveland and Brooklyn.

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Miami would surely have to ship off Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson to bring in Irving, stripping their roster of their best perimeter shooting options while managing roles for Kyle Lowry and Irving. It’s a messy match between Irving and the Heat that, on paper, satisfies a talent upgrade without giving the Heat a championship-level first option.

Fit: B

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5 / 7

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers

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Of all the teams Irving included on his wish list, the Clippers would be able to send back the best package while providing Irving with the best role. The Nets could get back Terance Mann, Marcus Morris, and Norman Powell. What other team could offer a better package of win-now vets to surround Durant with? It also leaves the superstar duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in place, as well as Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac, to round out a starting five with Irving as their lead guard. The Clippers would instantly become the favorites to win it all next year. With the Clippers, Irving would be the third option on a contending team, a role that would lessen his current burden in Brooklyn while providing him with two offensive juggernauts to play alongside.

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Adding the enigmatic personalities of Leonard and Irving has combustible potential, but winning cures all odds. The Irving drama reached a boil after the Nets were swept in the first round of last year’s playoffs. The Clippers will be returning a healthy Leonard this season and are on the path toward reaching their first Finals. In the Clippers’ case, it’s a risk worth taking in year four of the Leonard/George duo.

Fit: A+

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6 / 7

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers

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A reunion with James has the best potential to reform Irving’s reputation. It would be a heartwarming moment if the former mentor and mentee could mend their relationship and lead the Lakers to victory. Irving would give the team the distributor and scorer at the point it needs to save their sinking playoff hopes. Unfortunately, unless a third team joined the deal, it would likely mean Russell Westbrook would be reunited with former teammate Kevin Durant. What a sight that would be. It might be enough to make Durant demand a trade out of Brooklyn.

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Pairing Irving with James and Anthony Davis would give the Lakers a superstar trio and solve their distribution issues. It would also allow James to play more off-ball, with Irving serving the facilitation role, lightening the burden on the 37-year-old James. Irving is potent enough of a scorer and better at shooting and taking care of the ball than Westbrook to lead the team when James sits. While it wouldn’t solve their issues overnight, the Lakers would be closer to returning to playoff glory with Irving. It’s a deal worth making, if simply for the good vibes of Irving and James reuniting.

Fit: A-

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