Kyrie Irving made waves on Friday when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported the perennial All-Star guard wants to be dealt from Cleveland Cavaliers. Chris Haynes of ESPN reports Irving’s “preferred” destinations are the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat.
Koby Altman, the newly minted Cavaliers general manager, has a tough first task: trade away the player who has been considered the future of the franchise since he was drafted in 2011. The task of creating a trade package to acquire significant talent in return for Irving is a daunting one. One possibility, according to a source, is the Cavaliers acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks and Eric Bledsoe from the Phoenix Suns.
Source: Carmelo Anthony & Eric Bledsoe (same agent as LBJ) wouldn't come off as a surprise to end up in Cleveland in a possible Kyrie deal.
— Clevis Murray (@ClevisMurray) July 22, 2017
It’s long been reported that Anthony has an interest in joining the Cavaliers and playing alongside his friend LeBron James. In a possible deal, Anthony would have to green-light the trade by waiving his no-trade clause, and it’s known that he’ll do so to don the wine and gold. If dealt in any trade this offseason, Anthony would receive an $8 million trade bonus.
For the Suns, Bledsoe is a guy they’ve wanted to part ways with for awhile. According to a source, they aren’t too fond of his injury history and would prefer to trade the 27-year-old guard. Bledsoe has only played in 70 games-plus in three of his last four seasons in Phoenix and also shares an agent with James in Rich Paul.
In any proposed three-team deal, Irving would end up with the Knicks. From there, instantly, he would become the franchise player and a cornerstone alongside the formerly disgruntled Kristaps Porzingis and newly signed Tim Hardaway Jr.
