Since being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 with the first overall pick, Kyrie Irving has been in the spotlight. Joining the Cavaliers a year after they lost LeBron James, Irving has always had big shoes to fill. A tremendous talent, Kyrie has been extremely successful averaging 20 points, six assists and four rebounds per game in his three year career. Known for his terrific handles and as “Uncle Drew”, Irving is always in the middle of media attention.
Despite the great individual success, things haven’t gone as well for the Cavaliers during Irving's tenure. They have yet to experience a winning record or playoff appearance. They have also suffered through coaching changes, poor drafting, and general underachievement. With Kyrie set to become a restricted free agent after the 2015 season, there have been numerous rumors thrown around. The most common, and believable, of these rumors is that Irving would be unwilling to work out an extension with the Cavaliers.
The more recent rumor surrounding Kyrie and the Cavaliers is that Cleveland would not offer Kyrie a max contract. Apparently, they feel that Irving has not been a leader that you would want from a “max” contract player. While one could easily understand why Irving would want out of Cleveland, it is hard to understand how the two time all-star is unworthy of a max contract.
With an offer expected on July 1, many people will eagerly await to see how this plays out. There are now many reports that teams are exploring what it would take to pry the all-star away from Cleveland. The Cavaliers would have to consider such offers, especially if they feel Irving will cause more trouble in the future. Here are some of the best possible fits for Kyrie Irving.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have just gone through one of the worst season's in team history and will be looking for a quick turnaround. The Lakers are expected to be major players in the Kevin Love sweepstakes and it is very believable that they could target Irving as well. They Lakers have few resources to offer the Cavaliers outside of the seventh overall pick in this years draft. While the Lakers don't have the resources to make a real competitive offer to the Cavs, they would be an ideal fit for Irving.
Irving would instantly become a star in Los Angeles and would be able to play with Kobe Bryant for the end of his career. The Lakers also have a ton of cap space available and would have enough cap room to sign any free agent of their choosing. This freedom would allow them to build a team around Irving as he, and the front office see's fit.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have made it clear that they want to add another star this off-season to air with Dwight Howard and James Harden. While Kevin Love has been their top target, they could certainly make a play for Kyrie Irving. The point guard position was often times the weakest link for the Rockets last year and adding one of the best young guards in the NBA to an already talented roster could solidify the Rockets as contenders for years to come. The Rockets also have plenty to offer the Cavaliers, with the most appealing piece being Chandler Parsons.
The Rockets could also offer Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin, and their first round pick to sweeten the deal. While this trade wouldn't make Kyrie the star of the franchise, he would win instantly, something he has yet to do in the NBA. Plus, it would be nearly impossible for a defense to guard a combination of Irving, Harden, and Howard, meaning lots of good looks for Irving.
Minnesota Timberwolves
While the Cavaliers have been rumored as one of the top teams in the Kevin Love sweepstakes, it could end up being the Cavaliers that trade their star away. While Kevin Love has expressed that he wants out of Minnesota, the possible pairing with Irving could be enough to change his name. The Timberwolves have a handful of assets to offer the Cavaliers, most notably; Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, and Gorgui Dieng. While Minnesota hasn't been winning many games lately, the addition of Irving could certainly change that. For much of the year the Timberwolves were on the edge of competing for a playoff spot and the pairing of Love and Irving could be enough to push them into the playoffs.
Orlando Magic
The Magic have one of the brightest futures in the NBA. They have a young and very talented center in Nikola Vucevic and an extremely athletic guard in Victor Oladipo. They also have the fourth overall pick in this years draft. They could also be a perfect landing spot for Kyrie Irving. They have plenty to offer the Cavaliers, besides the fourth overall pick they could offer; Arron Affalo, Maurice Harkless, Tobias Harris, Andrew Nicholson, or Kyle O'Quinn. For Kyrie Irving, he would be joining a team that appears set to make a playoff run in 2015. He would also be playing in the significantly weaker Eastern Conference, ensuring an easier path to the playoffs. Plus, the pairing of Irving and Oladipo would instantly give the Magic one of the best backcourts in the NBA.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Believe it or not, Kyrie Irving's best fit could be in Cleveland. Despite years of poor drafting and mismanagement by the front office, the Cavaliers are in a great position to succeed. They have plenty of young talent, most notably Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, and Anthony Bennett. They also have the first overall pick in one of the most talented draft classes in the last decade, meaning they are almost guaranteed to secure a future all-star. The Cavaliers are also reportedly very interested in acquiring Kevin Love, adding another star to pair with Irving. Most of the Cavs struggles last year were not because a lack of talent but because of a lack of leadership and mental toughness. From a pure talent perspective, the Cavaliers appear to be one of the most talented teams next year, with Kyrie Irving at the helm.