Why the Celtics NEED to Trade for Kyrie Irving
The whole NBA world is currently swirling due to Cleveland Cavs' all-star guard, Kyrie Irving's reported demand of a trade out of Cleveland. You'd think that the local Boston media would be all over the Celtics to pick him up especially that according to Cavs' ex-GM David Griffin, the Celtics were one of the teams on Kyrie's wish list for destinations, but unlike past NBA stars on the market, Kyrie to Boston isn't a consensus yes. This is insane. Kyrie is a PERFECT trade target for the Celtics.
Kyrie's fit would be awkward with the core of the team as it's currently assembled. Somebody would have to go. This pains me to say it, but that guy is Isaiah Thomas. As a HUGE IT fan, this kills me to say, however it's the right basketball decision. Isaiah has done wonders for the Celtics in their rebuild, and for the fans of the team. He's a true inspiration. I completely understand why fans would be outraged if he was ever dealt, and they have a right to be, but we can't deny why it would be a genius basketball move.
Today, Isaiah Thomas is a better player than Kyrie Irving. IT leads Kyrie in PER (player efficiency rating), Box Plus-minus, and Offensive Win Shares. And for traditional stats, IT leads Kyrie in points per game and assists per game. The LeBron factor weighs in IT's favor as LeBron sets Kyrie up for most of his shots, and IT and Kyrie are in the top 10 for usage percentage in '16-'17. It's hard to make the argument for Kyrie Irving being a better player than IT in 2016-17, but it's not hard to see who the better player will be in the future.
Considering IT is 28 years old, an undersized player whose game depends on agility and quickness, his future doesn't seem so bright. He could shock the world and continue his legendary pace that he began last year, but it's not likely. Also, IT is coming off of a serious hip injury that ruins careers. Remember Jonny Flynn? He's known as the guy who was picked before Steph Curry. His career went nowhere due to the serious hip injury. You know who else has that injury? You guessed it, it's Isaiah Thomas. IT's future isn't looking too promising, however, a specific walking highlight reel's future is looking brighter than ever.
The Celtics rebuilding timeline is for them to contend now and be legit favorites once their young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and whoever they take with the BKN and LAL/Kings pick in 2018/19 develop. Kyrie works very well with this. He's a win now player who has been to 3 straight finals, and knows how to perform on the league's biggest stage. We've all seen the shot. He has also proven to be someone who can go toe to toe with Steph Curry. All this stated, this guy is 25 YEARS OLD. He's able to perform as a legit star next to the greatest player on the planet, average 25 ppg, and prove to be a clutch player. His potential is unreal. Already an all-star starter, we could be talking about a MVP candidate in just a few short years, especially if he's put in the right situation.
The Celtics are this situation. They would be able to contend with Cleveland this coming year, and if the rumors about LBJ leaving Cleveland come to fruition, the Celtics lead by Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward would be easy favorites in the East with even more potential each year as the young guys grow up. However, the Celtics can't take just any deal. They HAVE to hang onto Jaylen, Jayson, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first round draft pick. They also need Kyrie's word that he will stay long-term. If they can form a trade without those assets, and a promise from Kyrie, they will win the trade. A possible trade I'd like to see them make would be:
CLEVELAND RECEIVES: IT, Jae Crowder, Terry Rozier, Grizzlies 2019 top-7 protected pick
BOSTON RECEIVES: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2022 top-10 protected pick
Everybody wins. Cleveland gets to go all in for one more year while picking up a young hungry guard, in Terry Rozier, who wants to prove himself, and a potential lottery pick while dealing their disgruntled star who's trade value will only decrease as his contract becomes shorter. The Celtics get their long term star to pair with another star, and 2 young assets who can lead in the next Celtics dynasty.
Don't listen to those who don't want Kyrie. The Celtics need Kyrie.
Twitter- @ckhater23
Kyrie's fit would be awkward with the core of the team as it's currently assembled. Somebody would have to go. This pains me to say it, but that guy is Isaiah Thomas. As a HUGE IT fan, this kills me to say, however it's the right basketball decision. Isaiah has done wonders for the Celtics in their rebuild, and for the fans of the team. He's a true inspiration. I completely understand why fans would be outraged if he was ever dealt, and they have a right to be, but we can't deny why it would be a genius basketball move.
Today, Isaiah Thomas is a better player than Kyrie Irving. IT leads Kyrie in PER (player efficiency rating), Box Plus-minus, and Offensive Win Shares. And for traditional stats, IT leads Kyrie in points per game and assists per game. The LeBron factor weighs in IT's favor as LeBron sets Kyrie up for most of his shots, and IT and Kyrie are in the top 10 for usage percentage in '16-'17. It's hard to make the argument for Kyrie Irving being a better player than IT in 2016-17, but it's not hard to see who the better player will be in the future.
Considering IT is 28 years old, an undersized player whose game depends on agility and quickness, his future doesn't seem so bright. He could shock the world and continue his legendary pace that he began last year, but it's not likely. Also, IT is coming off of a serious hip injury that ruins careers. Remember Jonny Flynn? He's known as the guy who was picked before Steph Curry. His career went nowhere due to the serious hip injury. You know who else has that injury? You guessed it, it's Isaiah Thomas. IT's future isn't looking too promising, however, a specific walking highlight reel's future is looking brighter than ever.
The Celtics rebuilding timeline is for them to contend now and be legit favorites once their young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and whoever they take with the BKN and LAL/Kings pick in 2018/19 develop. Kyrie works very well with this. He's a win now player who has been to 3 straight finals, and knows how to perform on the league's biggest stage. We've all seen the shot. He has also proven to be someone who can go toe to toe with Steph Curry. All this stated, this guy is 25 YEARS OLD. He's able to perform as a legit star next to the greatest player on the planet, average 25 ppg, and prove to be a clutch player. His potential is unreal. Already an all-star starter, we could be talking about a MVP candidate in just a few short years, especially if he's put in the right situation.
The Celtics are this situation. They would be able to contend with Cleveland this coming year, and if the rumors about LBJ leaving Cleveland come to fruition, the Celtics lead by Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward would be easy favorites in the East with even more potential each year as the young guys grow up. However, the Celtics can't take just any deal. They HAVE to hang onto Jaylen, Jayson, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first round draft pick. They also need Kyrie's word that he will stay long-term. If they can form a trade without those assets, and a promise from Kyrie, they will win the trade. A possible trade I'd like to see them make would be:
CLEVELAND RECEIVES: IT, Jae Crowder, Terry Rozier, Grizzlies 2019 top-7 protected pick
BOSTON RECEIVES: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2022 top-10 protected pick
Everybody wins. Cleveland gets to go all in for one more year while picking up a young hungry guard, in Terry Rozier, who wants to prove himself, and a potential lottery pick while dealing their disgruntled star who's trade value will only decrease as his contract becomes shorter. The Celtics get their long term star to pair with another star, and 2 young assets who can lead in the next Celtics dynasty.
Don't listen to those who don't want Kyrie. The Celtics need Kyrie.
Twitter- @ckhater23
Comment below if YOU think the Celtics should trade for Kyrie Irving.
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