Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

A sign and trade of Kyrie Irving for D’Angelo Russell?

By Christopher Denson

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 27: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden on February 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 27: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden on February 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kyrie Irving very well may be out of the picture for the Boston Celtics come July 1, the least they could do is benefit from his departure.

Yes…for all we know the Boston Celtics and, more specifically, their drama-filled saga of Kyrie Irving may be leaving the TD Garden come July, and for all the rumor mill is worth, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are at the forefront of his choices.

Irving’s departure of Boston is unclear, but a guaranteed return in an uprising point guard to pair with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (if not for a potential Anthony Davis swap) would be monumental and a decent reset for the Boston Celtics…who would say no?

Enter the Brooklyn Nets, a team that closely mirrors that of the Isaiah Thomas led squad for the Boston Celtics in the 2017-18 season. Brooklyn also has a close connection as Irving’s hometown, a feat that may be a factor in his final moments of where he decides to spend the rest of his career. After making a push in the playoffs and giving the Philadelphia 76ers a reasonable contest before losing the series, the Nets’ front office will certainly be aggressive in their hunt for the next star player in Irving.

More from Hardwood Houdini

The Nets also have a point guard that in time could very well surpass Irving in terms of overall status—D’Angelo Russell. Russell spent most of this year erasing the opinions of doubters, earning himself the wide regards as a Most Improved Player finalist. He finished off the 2018-19 season averaging 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field.

Irving is still undoubtedly one of the most skilled guards in the league along with being possibly the most craftiest finisher to ever touch NBA hardwood. So with that, to have him don the Celtic green jersey for possibly five more years would be beneficial to the Celtics star power wise. However in the unclear mark and cryptic dialogues that Irving has left upon us as the season came to a close, we must think the worst case scenario.

The Celtics as it stand could not pursue another big name free agent aside from Irving without maneuvering some big names off the salary books (Gordon Hayward may come into play at some point). Russell will command a hefty contract, but not nearly as heavy as Irving’s. Russell currently is earning roughly $7 million a year, which will surely uptick regardless of where he plays.

Yet a sign and trade with the Celtics in which services from Russell and possibly Spencer Dinwiddie (who was on the Celtics radar as recently as last year) come into play may benefit both Boston and Brooklyn in terms of absorbing and departing salaries.

Both front offices coincidentally have multiple facets to take in this summer that can ultimately decide their long-term successes as individual franchises, helping each other just for the time being may be the best route. Of course none of this could be possible without Irving’s blessing.

dark. Next. Wanted: a new point guard for the Boston Celtics

There’s also the clause with the Nets willing to do a deal after still recovering from General Manager Danny Ainge’s trade heist in which Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were dealt to Brooklyn for picks that helped accelerate Boston’s rebuild back in 2013, including a pick that sealed Irving’s arrival in Boston via the Cleveland Cavaliers trade…irony at its finest.