5 trade destinations for Kyrie Irving, now that he wants to leave Cleveland
By John Buhler
San Antonio Spurs
West, Southwest
If Irving wants to contend for an NBA Championship in 2017-18 and not play for Cleveland, there is only one place he can go to that makes sense. Would he be on-board with the San Antonio Spurs Way though? Let’s just hope that if Irving goes to the Spurs in a blockbuster trade, he’s not going to give a LaMarcus Aldridge effort on his new team.
Cleveland will ask for small forward Kawhi Leonard, but Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford will say “No.” LeBron may want another player that plays the same position as him in Cleveland in Leonard, but don’t expect the Spurs to budge. That is unless they remember how bad they could be at point guard this year.
Patty Mills will run the ship while Tony Parker recovers from his gruesome leg injury he suffered in the NBA Playoffs. San Antonio does have other players that Cleveland could want like Aldridge, Danny Green, maybe even Pau Gasol. The Spurs don’t have the assets to make an easy trade with the Cavaliers, but this is an organization any star player would consider playing for.
Popovich belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of coaching in the NBA. He gets the most out of the talent Buford puts around him. The Spurs are keen on player development and would be able to place the right pieces around Irving if he is their new star.
Next: 30 best NBA social media accounts to follow
Add in the notion that this is a basketball-only town in a state with no state income tax and Irving will be the biggest star in San Antonio since David Robinson. Yes, Leonard and Tim Duncan were stars, but Irving talks. If he’s on-board with the Spurs Way, Cleveland could look to make a mutually beneficial trade for both Finals contenders.