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NBA Rumors: 5 destinations for unhappy Kyrie Irving

By John Buhler

Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in action during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Cavaliers defeat the Mavericks 110-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in action during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Cavaliers defeat the Mavericks 110-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah Jazz. 5. player. 118. . West. Northwest

Under head coach Quin Snyder, the Utah Jazz are well on their way to becoming a playoff-caliber team in the Western Conference. The Jazz have several strong players in their frontcourt including small forward Gordon Hayward, power forward Derrick Favors, and center Rudy Gobert.

However, the Jazz haven’t exactly been able to replace former point guard great Deron Williams since he was traded to the then New Jersey Nets several years ago. Utah is a strong defensive team under Snyder, but seems to lack the proficiency it may need to contend in the Western Conference at point guard.

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving may not be all that excited about playing in Salt Lake City, but should he go to the Jazz and be their starting point guard, with that frontcourt still intact, the Jazz could be a very interesting team in the West for the next several seasons.

Snyder is a fantastic player development coach and the core of his roster is around 25 years of age, with plenty of room to grow together for the foreseeable future. Hayward, Favors, and Gobert are all great players, but should Irving go to the Jazz, he would immediately become the face of the franchise.

He’s probably already better than what Williams was during his Jazz tenure. With the right coaching and the right set of teammates, Irving has the skill set to lead the Jazz to Western Conference elite status before he exits his prime. Irving isn’t going to become John Stockton, but could make the Jazz relevant in the West into his late 20s and early 30s.

Next: 4. New York Knicks

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