Grade the Trade: Cavaliers can leap into Kyrie Irving blockbuster

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been there and done that. Kyrie Irving hit the biggest shot in franchise history and was a key part of the first championship in the history of the team, but the way he forced his way out of town was an omen of the endless drama coming to whatever team employed Kyrie.

Now Irving is back at it, this time making a trade demand of the Brooklyn Nets. With the Trade Deadline less than a week away (Feb 9), the Nets now have to evaluate their options and decide whether or not to trade Irving. This is a team that was absolutely rolling until Kevin Durant got hurt; do they want to break up a potential trade contender?

The Brooklyn Nets might be trading Kyrie Irving, and the Cavaliers could benefit.

It’s possible that the Nets decide to keep Kyrie, but at this point, it’s probably more likely that they move him. They can’t afford for Irving to go AWOL if they don’t honor his trade request, leaving them with absolutely nothing to support Durant in a playoff push. The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are all reported to be in the running.

What does all of this have to do with the Cavaliers? They certainly aren’t going to trade for Irving, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be involved. Two years ago the Cavs leapt into another Brooklyn Nets trade, taking on Jarrett Allen and watching him become an All-Star. Could they be the middleman again this time around?

Here’s what one potential Kyrie Irving trade could look like, and why the Cavs could step in as the third team.