Why the New Orleans Pelicans should consider a Kyrie Irving trade

Acquiring Kyrie Irving might be easier than many New Orleans Pelicans fans think

Given Irving’s recent off-the-court behavior, it’ll be hard for the Brooklyn Nets to demand top of the market compensation for the 28-year old guard. That certainly benefits the Pelicans because they wouldn’t have to trade a ton of premium assets (as they would for Beal).

So with that in mind, we came up with this deal for Kyrie Irving:

Now, this deal could be tweaked if the Nets want veteran sharpshooter J.J. Redick on their roster, but is this a good deal for the Nets, and here’s why.

With Kevin Durant and James Harden on the roster, the Nets have two superstars already. If they get fed up with Irving, they’d love to get some competent pieces to put around those two stars to still compete for a championship.

Well, Eric Bledsoe would give them a fringe All-Star guard and plus defender who could fill Irving’s role, and Lonzo Ball would give the Nets an ideal replacement for Spencer Dinwiddie who went down with an ACL tear. Then, in theory, Nicolo Melli could add some bench shooting to the Nets while Jaxson Hayes fills the role vacated by Jarrett Allen.

Not to mention, the Nets recover some of the picks they sent away in the James Harden trade, with two of the Pelicans’ many 1st round picks going there way too.

In the end, the Pelicans get Kyrie Irving. With Irving, they’d create a starting five of Kyrie Irving, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Steven Adams. That’s a nice starting lineup with better shot creation and 3 point shooting than the Pelicans have now. Kira Lewis Jr and Nickeil Alexander-Walker could then take bigger rotation roles too.

So yes, trading for Kyrie Irving is a huge risk, but it’s one that could have a pretty nice payoff and that’s why I’m considering it if I’m the New Orleans Pelicans.