Just when things appeared to be on the straight and narrow, the Brooklyn Nets were once again thrust into self-inflicted superstar melodrama when Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the franchise mere days before the trade deadline.
Here are three trade packages for Irving we’re most likely to see between now and Thursday.
Nets get: Russell Westbrookone or both of 2027 and 2029 first round picks, with possible protections
Lakers get: Kyrie Irving
This is the deal the field, and maybe Brooklyn, is fighting against. A reunion with LeBron Jamesa historic franchise struggling to build a winning team around his few remaining peak years, and an outcome available via free agency if not a trade.
The Nets draw the short end of the stick, depending on how the protections on Los Angeles’ picks shake out. They could nab Brooklyn their next young star if unprotected and far enough out for a Lakers flameout.
A Westbrook-Durant reunion doesn’t spark excitement in 2023, if Brooklyn even wants to retain the former, or can retain the latter. If you can think far enough ahead to wonder how Westbrook and Ben Simmons fit together, good luck.
On paper, there are sure to be better deals out there. But what leverage is there with Irving’s impending free agency and strong interest from the Lakers? Fans may have to swallow this as the eventual, appropriately sore, ending to this miserable saga.
Nets get: Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Woodpossible draft compensation
Mavericks get: Kyrie Irving
Dallas is in year four of the Luka Doncic experience, but feels further away than ever to provide their young stud the proper help to seriously compete for a title. With the fickleness of loyalty in today’s NBA, they’ll need to quickly make moves to dissuade Doncic from looking for greener pastures.
Enter Irving, as good a ball-handler as one could provide Doncic. Defenses won’t be able to gravitate towards Luka as easily with one of the most potent scorers in the league waiting across the court.
The Mavericks don’t have much to offer outside of complementary veterans. But a couple of the right ones could theoretically keep Brooklyn in the contender’s circle.
Sean Marks should push for Spencer Dinwiddie in place of Hardaway Jr. as a natural Irving replacement and former Net, but Dallas is unlikely to go for it. Wood would be a very interesting piece as a scoring big that can finish off Durant’s creation.
Nets get: Chris Paul, Jae Crowder
Suns get: Kyrie Irving
Another West perennial contender feeling the heat. Phoenix is only two games above .500 and is clearly missing something they had when they made the NBA Finals in 2021. Irving isn’t that something, but he can solve some of their issues.
One is Chris Paul‘s declining game, a natural product of his turning 38 this summer. Another is the general lack of secondary scoring punch behind Devin Booker.
Irving helps with both issues, while Phoenix moves off Paul and Crowder, who asked out before the season began. Brooklyn can use both of those guys in their march towards the playoffs.