The simplest Kyrie Irving trade could actually work
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The Proposed Trade Idea
Damian Lillard, who is a bit older than the 25-year-old Kyrie Irving, averaged 27.0 points per game last season which tops Kyrie Irving’s 25.2. Both players showed their scoring ability, and both players fit in excellently with LeBron.
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James, throughout the course of his career, has loved to have a lineup that is only sharpshooters. If this trade would go through, those lineups might get even deadlier. Last season, Lillard averaged 2.9 threes per game. Kyrie, while he did shoot better, averaged 0.4 fewer threes per game. Also a better defender, Lillard might be a better all-around player next to LeBron James.
The Portland Trail Blazers were a victim of last offseason’s cap flexibility. Some teams had massive amounts of money to throw at unworthy players. While a solid player, Evan Turner is set to make over $18 million, and that will hurt the Blazers for years to come.
While Lillard has not said anything about wanting out of Portland, if a good enough offer comes for a younger Kyrie Irving, it might be enough to steer the Blazers to dealing their star. Lillard could be a steal for Cleveland, and with at least six good seasons left, Lillard could be the future of the Cavaliers. Another plus about Lillard is he is locked up for the next four seasons compared to Kyrie who could leave after the 2018-2019 season.
Shumpert, who hasn’t quite panned out like Cleveland hoped, is just a toss-in to let allow the salary cap to even out since Cleveland can not gain ANY more salary.