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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1. The most plausible blockbuster

Cleveland Cavaliers get: Carmelo Anthony, Eric Bledsoe, PHX top-10 protected 2018 pick

New York Knicks get: Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, top-7 protected Miami pick (from PHX)

Phoenix Suns get: Kyrie Irving

This is one of the reasons Simmons calls himself a maestro of the trade machine. This three-team trade kills two proverbial birds with one stone. Out of all Simmons trades this seems the most plausible.

Cleveland is giving up the best player but getting a great return. Bledsoe, while injury prone, is a much better defender than Irving and allows the Cavaliers to keep the ball in LeBron’s hands more often. It is hard to remember that Irving, not James, led the Cavs in shots last year. Add in Carmelo, and Irving’s shots should be easily distributed amongst the newcomers. We could finally get to see the “Olympic Carmelo” playing next to LeBron, Kevin Love and Bledsoe.

The Suns are the big winners here. They get a 25-year-old All-Star at the only position they don’t have a lottery pick currently slotted. Pair Irving with Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, and Marquiss Chriss and you start to see the makings of a very good team. Defense would be shaky, but that is expected with a lineup where the majority of the players are unable to legally buy a beer. Losing the two first round picks hurts a lot less when you see all the youth on this team. It’s time for Phoenix to cash in all those assets.  Landing Irving without giving up any of their young core would be a steal.

Next: The 20 different emotions of Gregg Popovich

Finally, the Knicks. It is no surprise that Carmelo wants out and New York is ready to let him go. He’s only willing to wave his no trade clause (thanks Phil Jackson!) to go to Cleveland or Houston to play with his buddies. Getting a first round pick, albeit a non-lottery pick, and two salary fillers would be a good haul for a guy who is already out the door. New York can start the Porzingis empire and build around one of the most promising young stars in the league.

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