The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking a huge return for the disgruntled Kyrie Irving, and possibly more than what the Miami Heat can offer.
Kyrie Irving could be on the move sooner rather than later. Whatever the trade, it’s a deal that will shift the balance of power in the NBA. Irving may not be a super star of the highest order, but he’s an All-Star and a champion.
Most of all, he’s LeBron James’ right-hand man, which is why he wants out of Cleveland in the first place. Taking him off the Cavaliers, no matter the deal, will result in a major adjustment for the franchise and some thinking about LeBron’s future.
Zach Lowe reports that the Cavaliers are seeking a “King’s ransom” in return for Irving, and that they are motivated to make a deal.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported last week that Irving’s list of preferred destinations includes Miami, as well as New York, San Antonio and Minnesota.
Lowe adds that Cleveland looks to the deal Miami made for Goran Dragic in 2014 as a possible model for what they may look for in return for Irving.
"They took special note of Phoenix flipping an unhappy Goran Dragic on an expiring contract for two first-round picks, including Miami’s unprotected 2021 pick. They are shooting for the mother lode."
If you’re Miami hoping to trade for Irving, this isn’t good news. Miami can’t trade a first-round pick until 2023. Because the Heat traded those picks for Dragic, they don’t have the same assets to trade for Irving.
Cleveland wants a “blue-chip” young player, according to Lowe, who considers a trade centered on Dragic and Justise Winslow.
"Miami could save Cleveland money by offering Dragic, Wayne Ellington, and Justise Winslow for [Iman] Shumpert and Irving, but Cleveland would likely turn up its nose unless the market proves cool."
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However, Winslow is coming off a shoulder surgery, and his shooting could be a concern for a team seeking to win now, especially for a LeBron James-led team that needs optimum spacing. He’s not considered a sure thing, even if the potential is still there.
Dragic is a nice piece to get in return as a replacement point guard, and Ellington provides valuable shooting, but without a pick to throw in or a more enticing young player, that deal will likely come short of what other teams can offer.
For instance, LeBron may prefer to play with Carmelo Anthony, and Minnesota could easily beat any offer from Pat Riley by including Andrew Wiggins.
The Cavaliers, of course, are not limited to Irving’s wish list. If teams like Phoenix, Denver or Philadelphia decide to get involved, they have the assets to pull it off.
The Heat could go one step further and include Hassan Whiteside and take a few more bad contracts off of Cleveland’s hands (say, Dragic, Whiteside, Winslow and Ellington for Irving, J.R. Smith, Shumpert and Channing Frye), but the Cavaliers would have to believe that Whiteside could be some sort of antidote to their Golden State problem.
Miami would also be taking on some tough contracts. Frye expires after the season, but Shumpert and Smith are under guaranteed contract until 2019. (Shumpert has a player option for the 2018-19 season and Smith’s deal is only guaranteed for $3.8 million in 2019-20.)
That deal would allow Cleveland to shop Tristan Thompson around for a first-round pick, but he wouldn’t get the same sort of return that Irving would.
However, that deal may still provide the most immediate help to the Cavaliers. The Heat cannot trade any free agents they signed this summer until December 14, due to league rules. That’s about the best Riley can do, unless Cleveland is for some reason enamored with Tyler Johnson or Josh Richardson.
Next: Irving isn't the whale Riley is looking for
Miami’s best case scenario is that other teams aren’t as anxious to trade for Irving as Cleveland thinks, and they simply have the best offer. But, if that’s the case, is it worth turning your remaining assets into a player who hasn’t won on his own? That’s the debate that must be happening in several league offices right now.