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) /
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2. GM LeBron grabs an old friend

Cleveland Cavaliers get: Dwyane Wade, Khris Middleton, MIL unprotected first

Chicago Bulls get: John Henson, Jabari Parker, Kay Felder

Milwaukee Bucks get: Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye

Atlanta Hawks get: Spencer Hawes, second round pick and $3M in cash from Chicago

It’s another four-team shake-up

Wow, Simmons really out-did himself on the trade machine — an all Eastern Conference four-team deal.

Cleveland might check all its boxes for desired pieces back from trading Kyrie. Wade gives them a veteran who LeBron obviously likes and wants to play with. Middleton is only 26, and a great wing next to James who can stretch the defense and plays great defense himself. The addition of the unprotected first is the final piece on top that would make this trade moderately plausible.

Chicago would come out a big winner. They would have essentially turned Dwyane Wade and $3 million in cash into Jabari Parker. Parker is from Chicago and has had trouble staying on the court but when he is healthy has the makings of a great scorer from the either forward spot. Still only 22-years-old, he would continue the youth movement in Chicago.  Henson is a quality back-up big to help fill out the rotation.

Atlanta would basically be a salary dumping ground for Milwaukee’s awful Spencer Hawes contract while getting cash and a pick for their troubles. This is how teams with cap space are going to need to operate as that space is again a rare commodity.

Milwaukee would have to be upset about Parker’s injuries and feel the team needs a shake-up to pull this off. Acquiring another all-star next to Giannis Antetokounmpo should be the top priority for the Bucks. The Greek Freak has started scaring Milwaukee fans with comments this offseason about loyalty and Kevin Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City. Pairing Irving and the Greek freak would keep the Bucks in the playoff hunt in a weak Eastern Conference and hopefully entice other stars to see them as a future destination for success.

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