Fansided

Ranking all of Bill Simmons’ Kyrie Irving trade ideas

By Joe Romano

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next

5. Are they the same player?

Cleveland Cavaliers get: Damian Lillard, Shabazz Napier  

Portland Trailblazers get: Kyrie Irving, Kay Felder, Channing Frye

It’s another point guard swap to create chaos.

Lillard is a year old than Kyrie and some would argue a worse player. THe is very limited defensively and has shown little to no improvement on that end. Kyrie is a similar boat in terms of his defense. Lillard average more points and assists than Kyrie but sharing the ball with LeBron James versus CJ McCollum is a vastly different scenario.

These two might be the most comparable point guards in the league. High-usage, offensive weapons who can get any shot they want and have unlimited range. They also both have shown extreme confidence in big spots.

Portland would not do this and neither would Cleveland. Lillard is the face of basketball in Portland and gives the team its edge. Kyrie would not change the circumstances in Portland and would not solve the Lillard/McCollum issue of two small, score first guards sharing a back court. Cleveland would probably be in a similar spot with Lillard as they are with Kyrie seeing as how similar the two players are. This also does not check the boxes of Cleveland’s demands for Irving. Lillard is a win-now veteran but Napier certainly isn’t a young prospect.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers