NBA Trades: 3 teams that should have interest in Kyrie Irving: Washington Wizards
Shams Charania’s article reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were the third team with interest in Irving, but that’s just like their interest in Collin Sexton, Bradley Beal, and the Mon-Stars: An unrealistic pipe dream, as it would require some team valuing Russell Westbrook as something other than a problem on both-end of the court making more money than all but three players in the entire league.
So instead, the Washington Wizards enter the fray. They are also on the hunt for a point guard; the Spencer Dinwiddie signing from last offseason didn’t work out, and he is now in Dallas. The Wizards are linked to every semi-available point guard on the market, from Malcolm Brogdon to Collin Sexton to perhaps even a reunion with John Wall.
They are also not afraid to take a swing on a player with a damaged reputation; they traded for Westbrook two seasons ago, and at this past trade deadline brought in Kristaps Porzingis. Adding Kyrie Irving would presumably not scare them, and give them a chance at playing for something other than the Play-In Tournament.
It’s nearly impossible for the Wizards to generate max cap space and retain Bradley Beal. If Beal splits, then replacing him with Irving becomes somewhat simple, if Kyrie is interested. The possibility to a Beal-for-Irving swap is also at least worth discussing, although it seems a bit too insane to contemplate.
Most likely, they would stack the contracts of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, and another combo forward (perhaps Deni Avdija) to bring in Irving. That means the Nets would have to play ball, but they may like the idea of adding players like Caldwell-Pope and Kuzma to their playoff rotation.
No matter what else happens in the world of basketball, Kyrie Irving finds a way to get into the headlines. It still seems like he will find a way to stay with the Nets, but if he does move on these three teams will likely be in the fray trying to bring him aboard. It didn’t work for Boston or Brooklyn; third time’s the charm?