While Kyrie Irving is a superstar, if the Cleveland Cavaliers are asking for young talent and picks in return, they are certainly overvaluing their star.
The phones seem to be ringing for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar, the 25-year-old Kyrie Irving. Irving, earlier this offseason, requested a trade from the Cavaliers, who have made it to three straight NBA Finals.
According to Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers are requesting Andrew Wiggins plus more assets in return for Kyrie. There have also been several rumors of the Cavaliers asking for Eric Bledsoe, Josh Jackson, and more assets in return for him. With that said, the Cavaliers will be wanting to trade Irving for a versatile player that they can build around post-LeBron.
That might not happen though. If it does happen, they would be getting a fantastic deal. The Cavaliers’ point guard had his best season last year averaging 25.2 points per game and helping his team take the Warriors to five games in the NBA Finals.
Irving, who is an excellent offensive threat, is mediocre at best on the defensive side of the ball, and that should limit his value. Irving has never had a box plus/minus of over +3.5, and that is due to his poor defense that has never even been close to a positive number. With that in mind, LeBron James, after his rookie season, has not recorded a minus defensive plus/minus. While both superstars, LeBron James and players like Kevin Durant are in another stratosphere than the Kyrie Irving’s of the NBA because of their defensive prowess.
Having a superstar that can not defend at an elite level is an issue since Irving wants to be the man on his new team. While Wiggins and assets might work, the Cavaliers would get the deal of the decade if they can manage to get the latter trade option.
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Kyrie Irving’s clutch playmaking makes him shine, but within every possession, it is LeBron James who makes the Cavaliers function at a high level. With that said, I wouldn’t expect Kyrie Irving to have the same impact as James does wherever he may land.
I also wouldn’t expect Kyrie’s value to go down. The bar is set, and now it is some team that will have to climb ridiculously high to capture the standout guard.