Kyrie Irving Headed Out West?

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You saw part one of this with trades to the Eastern Conference and just for kicks I snuck in a three team trade. This time we are looking at the Western Conference and other three team or four team trades that could go down. Maybe even more trades to the East. Regardless, let’s get into this by starting with the San Antonio Spurs.

Trade Destination 1: San Antonio Spurs

Trade 1- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Tony Parker (PG), Danny Green (SG), Kyle Anderson (SF), Dejounte Murray (G), 1st round pick 2018, two future second round picks. San Antonio Spurs receive: Kyrie Irving (PG), JR Smith (SG/SF), Richard Jefferson (SF), 2020 1st round pick Top Ten protected.

Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: C
This trade isn’t terrible – the young guys and the picks save it. Yet, Danny Green and Tony Parker can be good players to help them win games against Western Conference teams that are guard heavy. They both provide scoring and the ability to see the floor and pass the ball. You are losing Smith which sucks for them but I feel Green can replace his scoring load. These picks can be flipped with the right pieces for a star but maybe this isn’t the best trade for the Cavs.

San Antonio Spurs Grade: A-
You don’t lose Aldridge and you can get rid of a kind of overpriced deal for Tony Parker and Danny Green. This puts you in definite competition with the Golden State Warriors, you almost have a chance to make the Finals here. Almost. But when you sign Pau Gasol for that much money, there isn’t much cap for role players.

Actuality Rating: 7
Hey I can kind of seeing this happen. This definitely gives the Cavs a lot of depth and they can still move some pieces around maybe get a guy like Jahlil Okafor from the Philadelphia 76ers or even Andrew Wiggins from the Minnesota Timberwolves. This isn’t the best trade for the Cavaliers, though.

Trade 2- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Tony Parker (PG), Danny Green (SG), Kyle Anderson (SF), Dejounte Murray (G), Davis Bertans (F), Bryn Forbes (G), The next two years 1st round picks, and cash considerations. San Antonio Spurs receive: Kyrie Irving (PG), Iman Shumpert (SG), Channing Frye (F), Kay Felder (PG), 2018 1st round pick lottery protected, two future second round picks.

Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: B-
This might be the best possible two team trade for the Cavs. This signals rebuild and might make LeBron James want to waive that clause so he can be on a winning team. Then again I don’t know what team can put together enough picks and stuff for something like that. Perhaps the Boston Celtic or the Miami Heat.

San Antonio Spurs Grade: B-
They both have the same grade for once. This means it’s actually a fairly “even” trade for them. This is clearly a win-now mode deal. In any of these deals, though, it’s tough seeing Parker leave, yet this is a good enough deal for anyone to get rid of a 10+ year Vet. No matter how the Spurs get Irving they could win a ring if they get him.

Actuality rating: 8
This is very possible. The Spurs are getting a lot of value for an older guard, a decent scorer, and some young talent. I also wouldn’t put it past the Cavs to put something like this on the table.

Trade Destination 2: Minnesota Timberwolves

Trade 1- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Jimmy Butler (SG/SF), Cole Aldrich (C/PF), Nemanja Bjelica (PF), Tyus Jones (PG), cash considerations, second round pick in 2019. Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Kyrie Irving (PG), Iman Shumpert (G), Channing Frye (F), Edy Tavares (C), Kay Felder (PG), 2019 First Round pick top 5 protected, 2020 2nd round pick.

Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: A
This trade is fantastic but as you’ll see later I don’t think the Timberwolves will want to immediately move Butler especially after already signing a point guard. However, that point guard is very capable of being a shooting guard. Also they receive a better backup center and point guard, players that the Timberwolves could do without.

Minnesota Timberwolves Grade: B-
Now it’s not higher first of all because you are losing Jimmy Butler and some backups, but the player that Irving is just might be worth it. You also get a first round pick so perhaps the trigger should be pulled.

Actuality rating: 2
I want this to happen, I really do. This would make both teams more interesting. It also helps both teams without destroying some part of either team. But sadly there is probably no possible way this will happen.

Trade 2- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Andrew Wiggins (SF/SG), Gorgui Dieng (PF/C), Cole Aldrich (C/PF),  Tyus Jones (G), 1st round pick 2018, 2nd round pick 2020. Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Kyrie Irving (PG), JR Smith (SG/SF), Richard Jefferson (SF), Edy Tavares (C), 2020 first round pick top ten protected, and a first round pick to be named later.

Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: C+
This trade is decent. I don’t know how Wiggins and James would work but there could be some possibilities for a deep playoff run there. All the players coming in are pretty young, so this signals everyone’s least favorite time as a fan. The point were they spend long nights drinking at the bar saying “Remember when we beat them Warriors and came back that was great” in a drunken voice then barfing all over their floor and falling asleep… Anyways yay rebuild…

Minnesota Timberwolves Grade: B+
This is kind of a steal but you are going complete win now and giving away a lot of your youth. Which if you don’t win could be looked upon as a horrible trade but they did make that trade for Butler so clearly they want to win. It’s still going to take a lot to beat the Warriors, however.

Actuality rating: 6.5
This is certainly possible. As I stated the Timberwolves want to win NOW. That’s why they got Jimmy G-Buckets. It’s just if the Cavs want to try this mix of young, and prime, to win the East. It’s a risky move, but it could be a winning move as well.