Portland Trail Blazers: Analyzing a potential Kyrie Irving trade

Trading for Kyrie gives Blazers financial flexibility

Prior to this piece, I suggested the Blazers needed to break up their backcourt if they wanted to move into the upper echelon of the NBA. Specifically, I proposed that trading C.J. McCollum for Paul George would have been the right move for the Blazers’ long-term future.

In this piece, I’m suggesting the other half of Portland’s dynamic duo, Damian Lillard, be involved in a trade for Kyrie Irving. Considering the other players affected, it’s difficult to deny this deal would end up being a great long-term move.

Long story, short: Portland is currently listed as the third-highest payroll in the NBA. They are $2.9 million over the luxury tax threshold, which would result in roughly $4.4 million in luxury tax payments. Considering they’re unlikely to contend against the Golden State Warriors with their current roster, it makes no sense to take such a unnecessary financial hit.

So, that’s why trading away Allen Crabbe to the Brooklyn Nets looks to be the first domino to fall in what many expect to be a series of moves for the Blazers leading up to the regular season. Portland not only received immediate cap relief by dealing Crabbe for basically nothing in return, but they also generated a $12.9 million trade exception.

Trading away Lillard and Evan Turner’s contacts for a combined $43.3 million would easily get the Blazers under the luxury tax line with money to spare. In return, the Blazers would receive Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye for a combined $36.6 million, resulting in nearly $6.7 million worth in savings.

Shumpert currently has two years left on his deal (last year is a player option), while Frye is an expiring contract. This not only gives Portland financial flexibility right now, but it also helps with the impending contract extension of Jusuf Nurkic in 2018.

And on paper, the Blazers not only get a franchise player that is, on his best day, arguably on the same level as Dame, but Portland also nets a stretch big man to help space the floor, as well as the wing defender they need to bolster their perimeter defense.