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NBA Trades: 3 Kyrie Irving trades to help the Brooklyn Nets

By Jack Simone

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 08, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 08, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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) /
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NBA Trades, Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on May 11, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Nets defeated the Bulls 115-107, NBA Trades: 3 Kyrie Irving trades to help the Brooklyn Nets. 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 Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Brooklyn Nets just wrapped up an extremely disappointing season. If it weren’t for the Los Angeles Lakers, it would likely be regarded as the worst season in the NBA (in comparison to expectations).

Obviously, an injury to Kevin Durant and Irving’s reluctance to get the COVID vaccine hurt the team, but regardless, their (almost) fully healthy team was swept in the first round. Even without Ben Simmons, that’s not a great way to go out.

Now, reports have surfaced from Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News that the Nets are completely unwilling to give Irving a long-term contract. In turn, they could explore sign-and-trade options.

So, if Brooklyn does decide to deal Irving this summer, what are three trades they could pull of in order to help Kevin Durant bring home the organization’s first championship?

NBA Trades: 3 Kyrie Irving trades to help the Brooklyn Nets: Chicago Bulls

Nets receive: Zach LaVine

Bulls receive: Kyrie Irving

With rumors circling that Zach LaVine may not end up back in Chicago next year, if the Bulls managed to complete a sign-and-trade where they got back Irving, it’d be a solid return.

Pairing Irving’s shot creation alongside DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic wouldn’t solve any of their defensive issues, but it would make their offense even better.

Meanwhile, the Nets would essentially be trading out a superstar for a two-time All-Star who would be a great secondary scorer alongside Durant.

The Nets would save themselves from committing to Irving long-term by netting a 27-year-old star who could help Durant on a more consistent basis than Irving has been able to.

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