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4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league

By Dan Bennett

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half of Game Five of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on June 01, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, 4 NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

NBA trades for All-Stars that would shake up the league: Kyrie Irving for Kristaps Porzingis trade

Mavericks receive: Kyrie Irving

Nets receive: Kristaps Porzingis, 2022 First-Round Pick

Kyrie Irving got the NBA world talking earlier this week when he posted a video to his Instagram story of him putting on a pair of his own basketball sneakers. It followed a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania that there is renewed optimism that he will return this season, which subsequently followed the announcement that he is set to re-join the team.

But Irving’s refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19 means he is unable to participate in home games for the Nets because of New York’s COVID rules, and head coach Steve Nash said there is currently no update on whether he will get vaccinated.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer also says the Nets have fielded trade calls on Irving, with SNY’s Ian Begley claiming that the Dallas Mavericks have mentioned Kristaps Porzingis’ name.

Clearly, swapping for Porzingis for Irving based on ability alone is not an equal trade. Porzingis has not been the same guy since leaving New York and Irving showed last year that he is still one of the best scorers in the NBA.

But with everything considered, this is a trade that could work for both. The Nets are still in with a great chance of winning the title without Kyrie thanks to Kevin Durant’s MVP caliber season so far, and there have been signs of James Harden getting back towards last season’s levels.

However, the team is paying out an enormous salary for someone who is currently contributing nothing. Brooklyn could use more help, and if Kyrie cannot play in Brooklyn, bringing in a floor-spacing big like Porzingis might give the team the boost it needs to secure the title.

The Porzingis and Luka Doncic fit has not really worked in Dallas, so bringing in an elite shot creator like Irving to pair with Doncic would make the team drastically better.

But Kyrie’s vaccination status remains an issue. The restrictions in Texas might be less strict, which opens the door for him to play, but the team would still run into problems when they have to play in places where there are tighter restrictions in place.

Irving’s unpredictability these past two seasons means Dallas would be taking a considerable risk, but could turn the Mavs into a serious contender if it went well.