The 7 Teams Who Benefit Most from Kyrie Irving’s Trade Request

 

4. Houston Rockets

Houston was widely viewed as the second-most talented team in the West prior to Irving’s news. Right now, you could make a case they’re the second-most talented team in the league.

Sure, Chris Paul is trending downwards, but as a second option? Not many teams have a better second option in the league. Some would have said LeBron’s sidekick Kyrie was better than CP3. That’s a whole different conversation, but the fact of the matter is unless the Cavs land a significant haul in exchange for Irving, Houston now has a better duo.

The Rockets also give Carmelo Anthony more reason to join than them than the Cavs.

Houston was his “first choice” before the Irving news and it can’t be much better for Cleveland’s chances now.

One possible domino is that the Cavs would move Irving to New York and involved a third team to get Eric Bledsoe from Phoenix and bring Melo to Cleveland. But if that trade doesn’t come to fruition, Houston has a better chance of acquiring Anthony.

Let’s say the Knicks gain no traction on a trade and finally come to a buyout agreement.

Anthony has two choices. Does he want to join James Harden and Chris Paul to give the Warriors a legitimate test in the Western Conference Finals (with a chance of meeting a weaker Eastern Conference team in the Finals)?

Or does he want to join LeBron James, Kevin Love and fill in the blank – to win the East and have to play the Warriors, who would be decided favorites in the series.

If looking at it objectively, a trio of Paul, Harden and Melo has a better chance to beat Golden State right now than Cleveland without Irving.

That could change depending on what the Cavs get in return, but I’m not optimistic they’ll get Irving’s full value in a trade.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7