What will he do? Leave? Stay? Who joins him?
The Summer of 2019 is about to be something special in the NBA. We will see teams pulling out their best red carpet as they court the best of the best in the league. Let's take focus in one in particular and how he will affect some major player, teams, decisions on how they will move during this period.
(PC: https://fadeawayworld.net/2019/02/05/the-future-best-destinations-for-kyrie-irving-if-he-decides-to-leave-the-celtics/)
Kyrie "Uncle Drew" Irving, may be the biggest name to affect the market in the summer! Let's take a look at how Kyrie Irving will impact free agency! If he is the first domino to fall, expect a lot of things to transpire sooner rather than later in this star-studded free agency class!
New York
July 1, 2019, Kyrie informs the world that he intends to sign with in the Mecca in hopes of build something special. Irving, only 26, is still young enough to be in control for some time. Go figure, Kevin Durant, joins the Knicks as well! David Fizdale, just made a few moves during the trade deadline, that just might reshape the Knicks, and sooner than we think. The Knicks have been doing a lot of losing, which will grant them a high pick in this years draft; maybe even the top 3! Here you will be jammed at the point guard position with: Irving, Smith Jr, Frank, and Mudiay. There won’t be a need to keep four point guards. Make a couple available. A high draft pick. Let's not forget Kevin Knox either. They have already expressed interests in keeping DeAndre Jordan pass this year. One has to believe the Knicks would rather build a squad vs young pieces. Get this, Anthony Davis, still only 25, can join Irving and possibly KD, in a trade with the Pelicans. Dennis Smith Jr, Knox, a couple more young players, a top draft pick in 2019, and 1 more pick should do the job done. Yeah, Zion is special. To feature a core of, Irving, KD, AD, and Jordan, would surpass any group on the East. Generating that lineup will bring the Knicks brass some needed excitement for years to come and for a long time. Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan are only 30, and still able to play for another 5 years or so or more if they decide. By the time, they get older, the Knicks could win a couple of rings with that team!
Boston
Let's just say he decides to leave Beantown for his personal interest. Let's just say he wants to build something unique in the Mecca, where he has roots. Does Ainge feel it is worth trading all his assets and his young stud in Tatum, for a possible rental for Anthony Davis? Or will he allow Tatum to be the building cornerstone? This year looks like a deep draft, and there could be some pieces they can use in the wake of Kyrie deciding to flee. Rich Paul has been strong in saying that Anthony Davis, his client, won't resign long term in Boston. So, there is a lot of influence Kyrie has on Danny Ainge in his pursuit of Anthony Davis. Otherwise, it could be a risky trade. Can Boston get tricked into a trade from New Orleans, and wind up giving them a lot of assets for a one-year rental? Better yet, Kyrie says, I kind of like Boston, and want to add to the banners we have in these raptures. Then what? Ainge either offers Tatum and his picks for AD and gets him, or he doesn’t. Then, Kyrie plays recruiter and salesman. As he attempts to block the Lakers from AD’s mind; similar to what Russ did when Paul George got traded to OKC. Boston will have a nice duo, with pieces around them, with the flexibility to still improve their roster around the two.
(PC: https://94wip.radio.com/kawhi-leonard-sixers-free-agent)
Lakers
Reunited and it feels so good! Can we see LeBron and Kyrie West Coasting it in Hollywood? I mean Kobe Bryant, is Kyrie’s mentor. Hell, he has so many of Kobe’s qualities, he almost looks like the man. Well, it looks like the AD to Hollywood saga came and went in a flash. Signing Kyrie, reopens everybody being available again because of the caliber player he is! Ball won't be needed with Kyrie if he considers the Lakers. They do have a nice young core to get the job done, however, inconsistencies have puzzled the veteran and most dominant player of his generation. Point blank period, LeBron wants to win, even though he may not be chasing anything. The Lakers are in desperate need of making the playoffs and regaining the power it looks like the Warriors took from them. The Lakers didn't offer the aggressive packages for PG-13 and Klaw as they did for Davis; as they wanted to wait for a special case to unload their young guns. Paul was traded to OKC and loved the opportunity of playing alongside Russell Westbrook. Then there is the notion of it being toxic around LeBron and wanting to beat him as he is seen as the NBA's top dog, and has been for some time. If not Kyrie! Do the Lakers find a player in free agency to go alongside LeBron and the young core and have a now and later powerhouse; depending on how the young Lakers develope. Can LeBron convince Kyrie to come to SoCal? The Lakers really cannot allow this free agency period to walk away and they get nothing. They will have to move quickly as the competition will be fierce. Do they get back in the AD sweepstakes and offer the house again, and build the Lakers back to the throne? Kuz, Ingram, and Zo has some points to prove. Will they step up? All players want to win. When you do as bad as LeBron those on the outside can say it's toxic. The object is to have a cast of players around you whom you feel is ready to compete for titles consistently. Magic doesn’t want to go down as a buss, so he will be doing what he can to bring the old forum back! Nevertheless, the pressure is on Magic, Rob and company to do something this summer!
(PC: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1046474/NBA-news-Kevin-Durant-LeBron-James-Anthony-Davis-Draymond-Green-Los-Angeles-Lakers)
Clippers
The dark-horse of the hour! Doc Rivers just cleared more cap space, got more assets, and draft picks. They too have their eyes set on those top free agents and have their own say in this madness as well. Did they assemble enough pieces to lure Anthony Davis from the Pelicans? Do they think they have a shot at Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard? Most definitely. The only thing is the shadow of the team in the locker room down the haul from them. They saw the LobCity dynamics and how it didn't pan out so smoothly, even with a well-balanced roster. They want to rewrite the Clippers history and have been treating this like high school, as they have been following Kawhi and KD around the NBA, in efforts of showing them how serious they are in building a contender. Let’s say Kyrie, says LA is where it’s at but he wants to play for the Clippers. The Clippers have the cash, picks, and assets to build a stellar team in Clipperville, unlike those of the past. Shai is looking like a promising guard, as he has displayed flashes of being a potential all-star, with time and elevating his game. Montrezi, has been balling this year. The late pickup of Shamet, from the 76ers was also a steal! Adding more picks to the mix as well, and they too will hit the market for AD, and linking some of those assets to him. Don’t sleep on the Clippers!
Warriors
Of course they do not want to lose Kevin Durant. Same token, they don't want to lose Klay Thompson. Maybe they don't want to lose DeMarcus Cousins' either. What will they do with three pending free agents set to hit the market? Then there is Draymond the following year. So, whom do you let go? Is the "Splash Brothers" era over? Will Kevin Durant stay or leave? Kyrie, won’t be joining the Warriors either! However, depending on where he lands, it could affect KD’s decision. Durant wanted to cement his place with the elites as he won back to back titles with the Warriors. The fact of him winning back to back final MVPs and still being seen as the co-star, isn't what he expected either. To me, it shows he came and became the best player on the best team in the NBA. To others, he needed them. All and all, he has been on the Warriors the last three seasons, and they have come nothing short of being champs. Prior to, they lost the finals after being ahead 3-1 to the Cavaliers, after having a record-setting 73 win season. The Warrior core immediately knew they needed KD, short-after and the core 4 of the death lineup made sure they let KD know as well. At the end of the day all things come to an end. Will the Warriors revamp their roster and keep KD and Boogie; letting Klay go. Klay is going to want close to if not Max money. Are the Warriors willing to have a hefty tax bill to keep winning rings?
Sum it all up, Kyrie Irving basically will tell the tape of all the major players in this upcoming free agency. Not mentioned, were the Brooklyn Nets, whom have also set themselves up to be able to pursue two max level contracts, with a mixture of young talent. Don’t count them out as well. Nevertheless, it will be a nuclear reaction once Kyrie makes his decision.
If he leaves Boston, does Ainge trade for AD? Or Build around Tatum. If Kyrie stays, does that make him a recruiter and pitch long-term in Beantown for Rich Paul and AD?
If he picks the Mecca, does Kevin Durant follow? Will they pursue AD upon landing a top draft pick?
If he picks Hollywood and a reunion with LeBron, which players will they unload for AD? Will anybody join LeBron if they don’t land AD? Is it really toxic playing with LeBron?
If he picks Clipperville, what other free agent will they pursue? KD? Kawhi? Jimmy? Will they land AD?
Golden State is different, while he won’t be joining them, they have a few free agents of their own they need to make some decisions on. KD and Klay specifically. One is tide heavily on New York. One has been linked to the Lakers!
Uncle Drew, are you ready to start the earthquake? At the end of the day, it's chess not checkers!
(PC: https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/potential-knicks-target-kyrie-irving-talks-rumors-calls-new-york-area-home/282995494)
Twitter: @SportsStory88