Should the Utah Jazz trade for Kyrie Irving?

Who says no to one of the NBA’s best scorers?

Irving offers up an instant replacement for the 22 points per game left vacant by the departed Gordon Hayward.

When Hayward announced he was leaving the Jazz to join up with college coach Brad Stevens and the Boson Celtics, the question on who fills the scoring void was quickly asked by fans of the franchise. They lack an elite scorer, a go-to guy when shots have dried up, someone to hit the game-winner.

Rather than looking to replace the scoring, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey has opted to take a different route, choosing to win ball games on the defensive end and build around Rudy Gobert.

That was last week, when Irving seemed to be happy in his surroundings. Before the latest news, the NBA world assumed he was working towards another crack at a championship alongside King James. With Irving on the market, Lindsey would be justified in making a move.

Immediate Future

The Jazz are instantly better should Irving be on the floor. He’s coming off a 2016-17 season in which he scored 25.2 points per game, shooting 47 percent from the field and knocking down 40 percent of his three-point shots. He’s a professional scorer and one of the most gifted finishers in NBA history.

Ricky Rubio was added over the summer, but there would be a scope to allow them to play alongside each other at certain points of a game. Irving can play off the ball and shake defenders to earn open jumpers. He can spread the floor and allow Rubio to run the pick-and-roll with help defenders reluctant to move from Irving. There’s any number of offensive reasons Irving’s arrival helps the Jazz going into the 2017-18 season.

Fills the scoring hole left by Gordon Hayward

As above, Irving is an elite scorer and would add points to any team. What makes him attractive to the Jazz is his ability to fill the 22 points per game Hayward has left behind, therefore keeping them in and around the top teams in the West.

At the moment, their place toward the top of the conference is being disputed. Their plan to move forward by adding defensive-minded players will only be a success if they can get points on the board themselves.

Adding Irving would ensure that.

Welcome future free agents

The Jazz have $55.1 million in salary confirmed for 2018-19m so there is room to maneuver when meeting potential free agents.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com released the “super class” list of 2018 free agents that will be available for teams with cap space in the summer of 2018. Along with Irving’s current teammate, LeBron James, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas and DeAndre Jordan all feature.

With his talent, his clout, and at just 25 years old, Irving could pose as 2018’s latest free agency tamperer – like Draymond Green was in his recruitment of Kevin Durant.