Where Did Suns' Trade Package for Kyrie Irving Rank Among Others?
The Kyrie Irving saga has finally come to an end.
On Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets sent Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
The Mavericks trade proposal was the one that intrigued and ultimately made Brooklyn trade Irving but there were some other teams around the NBA that made offers for the superstar point guard.
Other trade packages, ranked:
1. Phoenix Suns
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns offered the Nets Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and draft picks. It was also reported one of the picks the Suns offered was a first-round pick but when Brooklyn asked for more draft compensation, the trade discussions ended.
This is a very interesting trade offer. Paul would almost certainly replace Irving in the Nets starting lineup as the point guard. While Paul is 37-years-old and has regressed over the past couple of seasons, he is still effective as he is currently averaging 13.8 points and 8.6 assists.
Crowder would have been a solid supporting piece for the Nets as a 3-and-D type of player who can help space the floor to help Durant operate on the offensive end.
This trade could have helped Brooklyn compete in the short term but the players the Nets received from the Mavericks are younger and have more prime years ahead of them. If the Nets are trying to blow up their roster and start fresh, adding Paul and Crowder would not be beneficial.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Los Angeles Lakers offered Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick in 2027 and 2029 for Irving. Begley added that the Nets wanted more young players such as Austin Reaves and Max Christie as well as pick swaps in the future.
Despite this trade offer having more first-round picks then the one from the Mavericks, Westbrook is not only past his glory days as a player but also is on an expiring contract and would most likely be on the first ticket out of Brooklyn once the season is over.
The Nets would have to bank on the Lakers struggling in 2027 and 2029 if they want to get any sort of value out of this trade.
Suppose the Nets accepted the Lakers trade offer, they would not only be losing in the short term, but long term they may not even benefit that much.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
According to NBA insider Kevin O’Connor, the Los Angeles Clippers offered Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, a future first-round pick, and two first-round pick swaps for Irving which the Nets rejected.
Out of all the trade proposals offered to Brooklyn, this one is the most similar to Dallas’s offer.
Mann has proven in the past that he can play some big minutes and be a key role player in the playoffs. His numbers may not stand out on paper but Mann is a player that could not only step up defensively when needed but is a fantastic defender.
Kennard is a great spot up shooter who similar to Crowder would be able to space the floor. Adding two rotation pieces would not exactly match Irving’s production but helps the Nets stay a float in the Eastern Conference.
However, it is clear that the Mavericks trade offer was better all-around then what the Clippers were selling.
